Cher Ami (French for "dear friend", in the masculine) was a male[a] homing pigeon known for his military service during World War I, especially the Meuse-Argonne offensive in October 1918.

Cher Ami's identification band is stamped with "NURP 18 EAD 615," meaning he was a "National Union Racing Pigeon" and born in 1918.

[5] On October 4, 1918,[6] Major Charles White Whittlesey and more than 550 men were trapped in a small depression on the side of the hill behind enemy lines without food or ammunition.

[8] "Cher Ami" was dispatched with a note, written on onion paper, in a canister on his right leg, We are along the road paralell [sic] to 276.4.

For heavens sake stop it.As Cher Ami tried to fly back home, the Germans saw him rising out of the brush and opened fire.

The pigeon was awarded the Croix de Guerre Medal with a palm Oak Leaf Cluster for his heroic service in delivering 12 important messages in Verdun.

He died at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, on June 13, 1919, from the wounds he received in battle and was later inducted into the Racing Pigeon Hall of Fame in 1931.

He also received a gold medal from the Organized Bodies of American Racing Pigeon Fanciers in recognition of his service during World War I.

He is on display with Sergeant Stubby, the (presumed) Boston Terrier mascot of the US Army's 102nd Infantry, in the National Museum of American History's "Price of Freedom" exhibit.