February 02, 2014

Sergeant Stubby: World War I Hero Dog


                                                                 



Any one who has had a dog as a pet knows all about their unstinting loyalty, companionship, and unconditional love. 

That is why so many of us appreciate our pet dogs so much.

It seems to me these are qualities not all humans have.

Sergeant Stubby was a dog who served in the Great War, WW1. 

He was America’s first war dog.

What he did was quite amazing! Of course there are many wonderful dogs serving not only in the military these days, but also in police forces, in search and rescue teams,in transport in the polar regions and such, and they do a very fine job.

Any community must be proud and thankful for the service of these dogs together with their handlers.

Much more about Stubby here.

Stubby was the most decorated dog of World War I. He was adopted by Private J. Robert Conroy and became the mascot of the 102nd Infantry, Yankee Division. He learned a lot about military life including bugle calls and how to execute a salute with his paw. He was smuggled to France when his owner shipped out and allowed to stay when the commanding officer saw him salute. 

After surviving exposure to gas, Stubby became invaluable as he had learned to recognize the scent and alert the human soldiers to its presence. He also could recognize English and was able to locate wounded soldiers and alert paramedics. He also was credited with capturing a German spy, who he tripped and attacked until American soldiers took him prisoner.

Stubby was wounded by a grenade and was sent to a Red Cross hospital, where upon his recovery, he became a therapy dog, comforting other soldiers. 

He was promoted to the rank of sergeant and received many medals, and became the first dog to be received by a sitting president, Woodrow Wilson. 

He later followed his master to Georgetown and became the Hoyas mascot. 

With many thanks to Cesarsway.

More at this site

More information and pictures of Sergeant Stubby at BuzzFeed.

                                                                  

                                                                              


                                                     


See Also Staff Sergeant Reckless -  the real War Horse.