WW I Hero Pigeon, President Wilson-- Part 3: Both Sides Used Pigeons in WW I

After his death, Wilson was taxidermied and presented to the Smithsonian Institution before being transferred to the custody of the U.S. Army in 2008.  Today he is in the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia.

Carrier pigeons were used by both Allied and Central Powers armies during World War I.  They would fly back to their coops bringing important military information.

When they weren't in use. pigeons would be housed in mobile units, often converted  horse carriages or even double-decker buses.

Military carrier pigeons were also used in World War II.  In that war, 32 pigeons were awarded the United Kingdom's Dickin Medal for their heroism.

--Cooter