Memorial Day: Giving Thanks to Jesus Christ for the Brave Homing Pigeons
We pause on Memorial Day to reflect on the service of the men and women of the United States Armed Forces who gave their lives for our freedom. As we thank the Lord God Jesus Christ for these heroes, we also remember the inspiring animals who served alongside the U.S. Armed Forces, even the humble homing pigeons, whose faithful courage was instrumental in maintaining our freedom. Today, we share our gratitude to God who, in wisdom, created all animals. We are thankful that these creatures of flight were able to help the world as they carried messages of hope, safety, and peace (King James Bible, n.d., Gen. 8:6-12; Prov. 8; Col. 1:16).
The history of birds as messengers stretches back to the days of old. In Genesis 8:6-12, after the great flood, Noah sent out a dove from the ark multiple times to find dry land. When the dove finally returned with an olive branch, it was a message of knowledge for Noah and his family that the waters were subsiding and that peace had returned to the world (King James Bible, n.d.). It would soon be safe for them to exit the ark. In much the same way, homing pigeons have carried messages through hazardous times for our military, relaying information on how to bring safety to those in need. Their mission echoes the biblical motif: bringing messages to restore peace and freedom for righteous living.
On Memorial Day, as we think about World War I and World War II, we also remember the homing pigeons that became feathered heroes, entrusted with delivering important information when other forms of communication were not working (Dash, 2012; “United States Army Pigeon Service”, 2025). Across enemy lines, and sometimes more than 100 miles for each flight, and with remarkable speeds of 50 to 60 miles per hour, their ability to navigate made them remarkably valuable to the Allied cause (Dash, 2012; Kratz, 2018).
Training birds was a labor of patience and love. From a young age, pigeons were gently imprinted to recognize their home loft. Trainers gradually increased the distances from which the birds were released, teaching them to find their way back through God-given instinct and skill. The pigeons would deliver messages one way—always flying to return to their home base (Kratz, 2018). Messages were written on thin paper, carefully rolled, and placed inside tiny canisters attached to the pigeons’ legs. These precious notes often meant the difference between life and death for soldiers on the front lines.
Pigeons were often dropped behind enemy lines in small cages or carried by paratroopers. Once released, they braved bullets, predators, and exhaustion to carry their messages home. The dangers were immense, and many pigeons lost their lives in the line of duty. Yet, remarkably, these courageous birds succeeded in delivering their messages about 90% of the time—a testament to their God-given instincts and the dedication of their trainers (Kratz, 2018; “United States Army Pigeon Service”, 2025). Their faithful service helped turn the tide of battle time and again.
One of the most celebrated pigeons was G.I. Joe, who, in 1943, flew 20 miles in just 20 minutes to deliver a message that saved over 100 British soldiers from friendly fire in Italy. For his bravery, G.I. Joe was awarded the Dickin Medal, the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross. (“United States Army Pigeon Service”, 2025).
Thousands of other homing pigeons were cared for by dedicated handlers from the U.S. Army Pigeon Service, whose names—like 2nd Lt. Milne (see photo) — have gained our respect (National Archives, 1918). These men and women in the military trained, fed, and protected their birds, often under dangerous conditions. Their skill and compassion were essential to the pigeons’ success (Kratz, 2018). We honor their service, which helped bring messages of hope and the ability to secure peace across the battlefields.
The U.S. military pigeon program was discontinued in 1957, as new technologies emerged. Yet the legacy of these birds and their handlers endures. Museums like the American Pigeon Museum in Oklahoma City and exhibits at the Smithsonian Institution and National Archives keep their stories alive for future generations (George, 2023; National Archives, 1918; American Pigeon Museum & Library, n.d.; Smithsonian Institution, n.d.).
This Memorial Day, we give thanks to the Lord God Jesus Christ for all who gave their lives to secure our freedom. May we remember the pigeons who braved the skies, the handlers who trained them, and the veterans who fought for us. Like the dove that returned to Noah, may their legacy remind us always of God’s faithfulness, the hope of peace, and the blessing of freedom to worship Jesus and serve with him in good works (King James Bible, n.d., Gen.8:6-12; Col.3:17).
Carrier Pigeons (Signal Corps). 2nd Lt. Milne, S.R.C. and the pigeons he is raising for the Army, 1918. (National Archives Identifier 55166221)
References
American Pigeon Museum & Library.(n.d.). American Pigeon Museum &Library. Retrieved May 25, 2025, from https://www.theamericanpigeonmuseum.org/
Dash, M. (2012, April 17). Closing the pigeon gap. Smithsonian Magazine. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/closing-the-pigeon-gap-68103438/
George, A. Smithsonian Magazine. (2023, November 8). Cher Ami, the iconic World War I carrier pigeon, makes his debut at Carnegie
Hall. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/cher-ami-the-iconic-world-war-i-carrier-pigeon-makes-his-debut-at-carnegie-hall-180983212/
King James Bible. (n.d.). King James Version. Bible Gateway. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%208%3A%206-12&version=KJV
Kratz, J. (2018, January 8). Unsung heroes of World War I: The carrier pigeons. Pieces of History.
https://prologue.blogs.archives.gov/2018/01/08/unsung-heroes-of-world-war-i-the-carrier-pigeons/
National Archives. (1918, January 25). Carrier Pigeons (Sig. Corps) 2nd Lt.
Milne, S.R.C. and pigeons he is raising for the Army. [Photograph, 111-SC-2432]. National Archives Catalog. https://catalog.archives.gov/id/55166221
Simthsonian Institution. (n.d.). National Museum of American History. Retrieved May 26, 2025, from https://www.si.edu/object/cher-ami:nmah_425415
United States Army pigeon service. In Wikipedia. (2025, April 15). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Army_Pigeon_Service