GI Joe

GI Joe, a blue-checked pigeon, was the most celebrated pigeon of World War II.  He was hatched in March 1943.  He was taken to the Tunisian front for duty in May 1943, but due to his youth and the campaign ending, he was unable to go on many missions.  He was later moved to the Italian front.  On October 18, 1943, GI Joe was with the American army in the German-occupied part of Italy.  The American army had just called for a heavy aerial attack on the German army.  However, the Germans unexpectedly retreated.  This caused a British unit to unknowingly walk into the area minutes before the bombing.  Radio attempts to cancel the bombing failed, so GI Joe was sent off.  He made the 20-mile journey in only 20 minutes.  He made it just in time to deliver his message to the bombers who were just about to take off.  If GI Joe hadn’t made the journey so quickly, a whole British infantry unit could have been killed.  For his brave actions, GI Joe was awarded the Dickin Medal for Gallantry.  This medal was bestowed upon him by the lord mayor of London, and it is the highest award for animals by the British.  He was the only pigeon in World War II to be given this honor.