The following information is provided by the United States National Archives and Records Administration.
July 16, 1917 – Letter from Colonel E. Russell, Chief Signal Officer of the American Expeditionary Forces:
“Careful investigations have been made of the carrier pigeon service in the French and British armies in France.
Access has also been led to some of the material and documents captured from the Germans, which indicate the uses they have been making of carrier pigeons.
There is no longer any doubt of the immense importance of this service and necessity for immediate action on the part of the United States to provide similar service for our armies.”
July 17, 1917 – Cablegram to War Department, Washington, from General John J. Pershing, Commander-in-Chief of the American Expeditionary Forces – asking that two pigeon specialists be commissioned as first lieutenants and that twelve enlisted experts immediately proceed to France.
The following documentation is provided by the United States National Archives and Records Administration.
32 BIRDS HAVE DISTINGUISHED THEMSELVES DURING THE OPERATION OF THE AMERICAN ARMY AT THE FRONT (Eleven of them are listed below)
#615 Named Cher Ami
Delivered 12 important messages from the Verdun front to Rampont. Returned on last occasion with leg shot away, message tube containing important document hanging by tendon. Missile which carried away leg, also passed through breast.
#16374 Named President Wilson
Leg carried away by missile while carrying message from Verdun front to Cuisy during operations American Army. Bird also worked in sector during Mihiel operations, especially distinguished because of splendid work from tanks when all other communications failed.
#D-4084 Named The Mocker
Eye destroyed by shrapnel while working from Baumont front in St. Mihiel sector during operations American Army. Bird had carried many important messages.
Severely wounded head and neck while carrying message from Verdun front to headquarters Cuisy. Distinguished for splendid work from tanks during St. Mihiel operations American Army.
#17314 Named Kaja-Boy
Head severely lacerated by shrapnel while carrying important message from post near Pont-a-Moussen, in Tank sector during operations of American Army.
#19079 Named Banchette
Carried important message from advance Centre Information on Verdun front. Four birds on post, other three killed by shell which also killed two pigeoneers in charge of birds.
#16891 Named Petite Rosette
Working from extreme advance post, Third Corps, First American Army, carried message announcing the capture of Hill 287, one of the hardest positions to overcome on entire front. This bird carried many important messages during Verdun operations and was commended by commanding general for splendid service.
#16757 Named Lord Adelaide
Severely wounded while working from trenches at Cuisy. Carried several important messages during St. Mihiel operations, and did splendid work from tank sectors
#15705 Named Reliable
Carried many important messages during Chateau Thierry drive between Vesle River and Igny-do-Abbaye also during Argonne Forest drive when troops surrounded and in desperate need of assistance when all other communciations had failed. Reliable arrived in time to secure needed relief and was instrumental in enabling American troops to drive back the enemy.
#15360 Named The Premier
During heavy rain and fog, carried very important message from beleaguered troops from Argonne Forest. Also worked during Chateau Thierry drive of American Troops carrying many important messages from posts on Vesle River.
This bird severely gassed at front at Verdun. After being held 16 days during heaviest fighting, returned with message. Was in terrible state of emaciation.