The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-01-14
U. S. PLANS HONORS
FOR BRAVE PIGEONS
Wounded Birds Coming Home
to Pensions and Final inches
in the Smithsonian.
FOUGHT TN MANY BATTLES
Carried On" Despite Fright
ful Hurts-Saved Many
Bad Situations.
ny RAYMOND G.. CARROLL.
Special Gable Despatch 10 THE Sun and the
Public Ledger.

special Gable Despatch 10 The Sun and tire
Public Ledger.
Copyright 1919: all riohfs reserved.
PARIS. Jan. 13.--They are the doves OF
peace. For months before the armistice
day they went forth--but here is an Of
Rcial Signal Corps report OF the Ameri-
can Expeditionary Force: Fifty pigeons
or the United States Army have espe-
cially distinguished themselves in com
bat-llaison."
II seemed gloriously fitting that six Of
these brave wounded birds should pass
through Paris at the time when the
Peace Conference was assembling. In
charge OF returning pigeon officer I'M
der special orders of Brig. Gems. Edgar
Russell and George 8. Gibbs they were
en- route 20 base port. where they will
take passage for the United States
Recommendation has been made that
these pigeons be kept at one of the large
geological parks in Philadelphia, Wash
ington or New York, and their lofts
marked with signs recounting their
deeds
Further It Is recommended that when
these birds die they be properly mounted
and placed with the stories OF their
aohievements In the Smithsonian Insti-
tuition.
Along with six wounded pigeons, three
or which came from Pennsylvania lofts
near Scranton, were six others that de-
serted from the German army, each car
rying rings marked with the imperial
insignia
Pets of Generals.
All lovers OF dumb animals will ap-
preciate In the extra attention bestowed
upon our wounded pigeons the sentiment
tai side OF two grizzlod Brigadier-Gen-
erals. Regular Army officers who them
selves typify the harshness and rlgors
OF war. having served in Cuba and the
philippines as we'll ~ in France
The activities of these birds with our
army greatly increased during the later
phases OF American participation in the
European conflict, their flights averag-
Ing from five to twenty miles In the
st. Mihiel offensive they worked both
with the tanks and infantry. altogether
5I6 birds being used in delivering ninety
messages OF important military value
from the advanced lines. often coming
IN covered with mud and their plumage
soaked with rain.
Many noteworthy performances by
our birds are IN the records. one pigeon
from the lofts at Rampont IN the Ar
come offensive had its leg cut off by a
German bullet. but with the important
message hanging by ligament Of the
leg carried on for twelve mies receiv-
ing another bullet directly through its
hreastbone. and fulfilled It's mission For
tunately the vitality Of the bird enabled
II to survive, and It's recovery now seems
assured
Wonderful Feats.
Another wonderful performance in
fact a series OF them. were those OF the
birds used by a battalion OF troops sur
rounded by Germans and cut Off from
all relief for Ave days Several birds
used by this organization safely deliv-
cred the messages entrusted to them.
thereby keeping headquarters ooRnzant
of conditions and facilitating the relief
measures which finally proved effective
There were many instances where
troops were cut off from all communica-
ton or had advanced 90 rapidly that
they had lost touch with all other or.
Ran!zatons and pigeons were used with
success.
ON another occasion n bird from the
loft At Fort Lucy pitted against an air
plane arrived homo IN time to permit
the message to be delivered to it, final
destination by motor cycle and still have
three minutes the better OF the contest
Looking at the handsome edihce OF
the Minister of Foreign Affairs on the
Quai dOrsay where tho symbolical
doves of enduring peace are scheduled
Ia alight during the next few weeks.
could not refrain from writing a story
OF the real doves that flaw. bled anu
died that this day might come.