Dog Heroes of World War II
Although dogs have taken part in
our wars for centuries, a dog named Stubby is still recognized as
America's first trained war dog. Stubby served eighteen months on
the front during World War I, saved his regiment from surprise
mustard gas attacks, located and comforted the wounded, and even
caught a German spy by the seat of his pants. Back home, Stubby's
exploits made the front page of every major newspaper. Two
different presidents invited the dog to the White House, and he
was personally decorated by General John Pershing. But perhaps
Stubby's most important contribution is the inspiration he
provided in the creation of the U.S. "K-9 Corps," just in time for
World War II. The first K-9 Corps training center was in Fort
Royal, Virginia. There, dogs were taught to be scouts, trackers,
messengers, and detectors of mines and booby traps. Although these
heroes don't have the medals and ranks they deserve, their
patriotism and sacrifice are widely recognized throughout the
armed forces.
They are true heroes.
Andy.
This beloved Doberman Pinscher saved a tank platoon pinned down on
the island of Bougainville by flushing Japanese machine-gunners
from their nest. His platoon knew him as "Gentleman Jim" because
of his aristocratic demeanor.
Blackie.
In 1945, while on a two-day patrol with Company F, 123rd Infantry,
Blackie, handled by Corporal Technician Kido, helped his patrol
successfully complete their mission without detection by the
enemy, locating an area where five hundred Japanese were
bivouacked.
Bob,
a Collie mix, led more forays into German territory than any other
U.S. soldier in World War II, human or canine.
Bobo.
Sergeant John Coleman, Bobo's handler, led a reconnaissance
patrol safely into German-held territory, then started back toward
his own lines to safety. But Bobo alerted his owner that a German
regiment was in the act of surrounding the outpost, saving not
only Coleman's life but also those of his entire patrol.
Bruce. In 1945,
during a banzai attack against "E" Company Twenty-seventh Infantry
in Northern Luzon, Bruce attacked three Japanese infantrymen who
were advancing with fixed bayonets toward a foxhole containing
two wounded American soldiers. Because of his bravery, the lives
of the two wounded men were saved. And by discouraging the advance
of these particular Japanese, Bruce likely prevented more
casualties.
Buster. While
operating as a messenger dog with "F" Company 155th Infantry
Regiment on Morotai Island, Buster saved the lives of an entire
patrol of seventeen men. His determination carried him through
heavy enemy machine-gun and mortar fire on two excursions,
bringing back with him instructions for the patrol to hold its
position. Reinforcements arrived thanks to Buster's efforts and
these reinforcements, in turn, were responsible for the
destruction of the enemy's entire force.
Caesar. During a
Marine raid in the South Pacific, when radio communications became
impossible in the thick jungle, Caesar, one of the canine members
of the troop, was dispatched with vital information. He traveled
back and forth between his two handlers, always under heavy fire,
Another time, Caesar alerted one of his handlers to a grenade
thrown at his feet. The soldier was able to throw the device back
in the direction it came from, where it exploded. The next
morning, eight Japanese bodies were discovered. On the third day
of this encounter, with the team under attack, Caesar leaped at
Japanese soldiers. His handler called him back, but as Caesar
turned to obey, he was shot twice. Caesar survived, but because
surgery to remove the bullet would have been too risky, he spent
the rest of his life with the chunk of lead lodged behind his left
shoulder. Caesar is credited with conveying the first war dog
message in actual combat.
Chip,;
The most famous of all canine heroes was part
shepherd, part Collie, and part northern sled dog. Chips was
affectionate and had particularly keen senses. He was also a bit
of a rebel. After wading ashore with the Third Division of General
Patton's Seventh Army, Chips sensed impending danger and bounded
off toward an enemy machine-gun nest. The firing stopped, and
Chips was soon discovered holding on to the throat of the enemy
gunner while nearby, five terrified men raised their arms in
surrender. Chips went on to act as a sentry for President
Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill at their historic
conference in Casablanca in 1943, About this time it was also
revealed that Chips, unimpressed with rank, had taken a nip at
General Eisenhower. Chips died of complications from war injuries
when he was only six. He was eventually awarded a silver star and
a purple heart. The film about him,
Chips the War Dog, was released in 1990.
Daisy.
The mascot of a Norwegian merchant ship
torpedoed in the North Atlantic, she dove into the icy sea with the
surviving crewmen and swam from man to man throughout the night,
licking their faces and giving them comfort and encouragement. They
were rescued the following morning.
Dick.
This famous German Shepherd Dog discovered a camouflaged Japanese
bivouac and then alerted his patrol, enabling a surprise attack
that resulted in the annihilation of the enemy with only a single
U.S. Marine casualty.
Duchess.
Duchess was a member of the Thirty-ninth Infantry
Scout Dog Platoon. In 1945, while on patrol with the Third
Battalion, 123rd Infantry, she helped inspect enemy cave
installations on Luzon in the Philippines. On approaching the
entrance to one cave, Duchess let out an unmistakable alert that led
to the elimination of thirtythree enemy troops. Duchess performed
similar feats throughout her career as a war dog.
Kurt. This brave
Doberman Pinscher saved the lives of 250 marines when he alerted
them to Japanese soldiers lying in wait on a steamy jungle hillside
above the Asan Point beachhead.
Pal. This celebrated
hero was killed by enemy action in 1945 at San Benedetto Po, Italy.
In blocking a shrapnel charge with his own body, Pal prevented the
serious wounding of several men.
Peefke.
While on patrol during a mission in 1945, Peefke
discovered a wire and alerted his handler, who, upon examination of
the wire, found three enemy "S" mines, which were then neutralized.
Had these mines not been discovered, they could have wiped out the
entire patrol.
Sandy. This canny
canine was a natural for messenger training, contributing valuable
service throughout the Cape Gloucester Campaign. During one battle,
Sandy had to travel through the tall Kunai grass, swim a river, and
make his way beneath a curtain of mortar and tank fire. He finally
jumped over a barbed-wire fence and delivered a message that allowed
American units to advance.
Smoky, a four-pound
Yorkshire Terrier, spent eighteen months in combat during World War
II. She flew with the Third Emergency Rescue Squad on twelve
long combat missions, each up to twenty-two hours nonstop, and
covered strikes to Borneo and the Southern Philippines,
Wolf. Committed to
combat with the Twentyseventh Infantry battling through the
Corabello Mountains in Italy toward the strategic Balate Pass, Wolf
scented the presence of the enemy entrenched on a hillside about
150 yards distant in time to allow the members of the patrol to take
cover and resist attack. Wolf performed similar feats over the
course of the war and was eventually wounded. In spite of expert
medical care and emergency surgery, the Twenty-fifth Division's
casualty list after the battle included, among others.
