Paddy the pigeon was awarded the PDSA Dickin Medal, the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross, on September 1, 1944 for his brave actions during World War II. Paddy was the first homing pigeon to arrive safely with the news of the successful Normany landings on D-Day. Paddy not only flew faster than his cohorts, he escaped from the German hawks that were sent to intercept all the homing pigeons.

Paddy will be honored as part of a ceremony at the PDSA Animal Cemetery in Ilford, England, celebrating the restoration of the cemetery. Of the 62 animals that have been awarded the PDSA Dickin Medal (including horses, birds, dogs, and a cat), 12 are buried at the PDSA Animal Cemetery in Ilford.