G.I. Joe Saved 1,000 Lives
Quick answer: Who was G.I. Joe the pigeon?
G.I. Joe was a U.S. Army homing pigeon who, on October 18, 1943, flew about 20 miles in 20 minutes to deliver a message that British troops had taken the Italian village of Calvi Vecchia, stopping a planned Allied bombing raid on them just in time. In 1946 he received Britain's Dickin Medal for animal gallantry.
The bird, that is, not the action figure. Carrier pigeons have answered the call of duty in every major war of the last century, and perhaps the most famous was G.I. Joe, credited with saving at least 100 British soldiers and many civilians. He was hatched on March 24, 1943, in Algiers. The Army started a pigeon service in 1917, and the birds were trained at posts including Camp Meade, with headquarters at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. During World War II the Army Pigeon Service grew to more than 3,000 soldiers and 54,000 birds. Joe, banded USA43SC6390, went to the Tunisian front in May 1943 and on to Italy that October. On the morning of October 18, 1943, the British 56th Infantry Division requested air support to break the German line at the fortified village of Calvi Vecchia. The British 169th Infantry Brigade then took the village ahead of schedule, and radio attempts to cancel the strike failed. With American bombers preparing to take off, G.I. Joe was released with the message. He covered the 20 miles in 20 minutes and arrived as the planes were warming up. The official report called it "the most outstanding flight yet made by a Homing Pigeon during World War II." On November 4, 1946, at the Tower of London, he received the Dickin Medal, Britain's highest honor for animal gallantry. He retired to the Detroit Zoo and died at 18. The Army Pigeon Service was disbanded in 1957.
Why it matters for leaders: Sometimes the most important contribution comes from the most unlikely source, delivered at exactly the right moment.
Q: What medal did G.I. Joe receive?
A: The Dickin Medal, presented at the Tower of London on November 4, 1946.
Q: When did the Army stop using pigeons?
A: The Army Pigeon Service was disbanded in 1957.
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By John Fenzel, founder and CEO of Heroes' Path Foundation