article_snippet: Another species also played a vital role in battlefield communications, and was the first animal to be awarded a medal of honour: the humble pigeon.
article_snippet: Carrier pigeons were the first animal awarded a medal for Carrier pigeons contribution to the war .
article_snippet: Carrier pigeons were the first to be awarded the animal equivalent of a Victoria Cross - the Dickin Medal.
article_snippet: The medal was presented to 32 pigeons, 29 dogs, three horses and one cat.