Dogs play an essential role in the military. United States military has been using dogs since the Revolutionary War. Dogs in the military do various stuff: scouting, bomb and enemy detection, attacking enemies, and even sending signals to the troops if the enemy is coming.
During Memorial Day, dogs who served in the military are also given the same recognition as the soldiers. A monument was dedicated to US military working dogs at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas in late 2013. Said military base has been the training center for military dogs since World War II.
Some dogs who served in the military are decorated war heroes. One example is Stubby, a terrier mix. Stubby is the mascot of the 102nd Infantry Division and the only military dog to be promoted to sergeant in US army history.
Stubby was discovered at the Yale University grounds in Connecticut where the soldiers of the 102nd Infantry Division were training. Stubby got fond of Corporal Robert Conroy. Cpl. Conroy eventually decided to take care of him.
Stubby also trains together with Conroy and the rest of the soldiers. Conroy even taught Stubby to salute. Because of Stubby’s wit and charm, he was allowed to stay at the training ground and became the official mascot of the 102nd Infantry Division.
Stubby needs to be left behind when the 102nd Infantry Division needs to be sent to France. However, he escaped and followed Conroy to the pier. When the commanding officer discovered Stubby on board, Stubby gave a hand salute and was allowed to stay.
In France, Stubby helped the troops in battle. He chased rats away, searched for wounded soldiers, and even alerted the troops and the villagers on the upcoming gas attack. He even caught a German spy.
Stubby’s heroic acts earned him the rank of a Sergeant. The people in the United States celebrated his return and gave him awards. He even had a chance to meet three US Presidents: Woodrow Wilson, Calvin Coolidge, and Warren G. Harding.
Stubby died in 1926. His preserved body is currently on display at Smithsonian Museum.
Subby’s life was immortalized into an animated movie, Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero.
Watch this video from YouTube to know more about Stubby’s life:
Video courtesy of The Story Behind via YouTube
