6 Military Dogs Who Served With Honor

Zack Keithy, our author, is a certified veterinarian technician (UC Blue Ash) for over 6 years (contact him here). The articles written here are based on his expertise and experience, combined with a review by our expert vet reviewers including Dr M. Tarantino. Learn more about us here.

I love inspiring stories – even better when they include dogs.

In this post, get ready to be moved as I share the inspiring stories of six military dogs who served alongside soldiers with unwavering loyalty and bravery.

These four-legged heroes have left an indelible mark on my heart, and I hope their stories can show the profound impact they’ve had on the battlefield and beyond.

Let’s march on.

Smoky — Yorkshire terrier saw action in Pacific

In New Guinea, during WWII, GI Ed Downey found a puppy in a foxhole while working on a Jeep.

He sold it to Cpl. William A. Wynne for two pounds, around $109 today, in order to get back into a poker game.

And this marked the start of a remarkable bond.

Smoky, the terrier, became a cherished companion to soldiers, aiding in laying communication lines and boosting morale.

She even helped run a wire through a 70-foot pipe, saving time and lives.

Smoky’s loyalty and bravery made her an enduring symbol of wartime heroism and the bond between humans and animals.

Check out Wynne’s memoir here.

Cairo — Belgian Malinois took part in Osama bin Laden raid

The book “No Ordinary Dog” by Will Chesney and Joe Layden tells the story of Chesney’s journey as a Navy SEAL and his partnership with a Belgian Malinois named Cairo.

Chesney details his rigorous SEAL training and his decision to become a military dog handler, which led him to work with Cairo.

The book focuses on the duo’s deployments in Afghanistan and their involvement in the mission to capture Osama bin Laden, which made Cairo a national celebrity.

However, the story does not end there, as Chesney also grapples with PTSD and TBI after the mission, finding solace in his bond with Cairo.

The book explores the profound and intimate relationship between a handler and a canine SEAL, and how their partnership was tested in the harsh realities of war.

Chip – Most decorated war dog from World War II.

Chips, a U.S. Army hero dog that served in World War II. Chips, was a mix of German shepherd, collie and husky.

It posthumously received the Dickin Medal, the most prestigious medal for animal bravery, for his courageous actions during the war.

The dog attacked a hidden German machine gun nest in Sicily, biting German soldiers and pulling a smoking machine gun from its base.

Chips also served as a guard dog during a conference between British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and helped capture 10 enemy soldiers on the same day he attacked the machine gun nest.

Interesting fact: Despite being awarded the Silver Star, a Distinguished Service Cross and a Purple Heart during the war, the practice of giving military service awards to animals was later suspended. Chips gained notoriety for biting General Dwight D. Eisenhower when the future president bent down to pet him, as the dog had been trained to clamp down on humans he didn’t know.

Sergeant Stubby — terrier mix served in trenches in France

Sergeant Stubby was a dog who served as the mascot of the 102nd Infantry, 26th Yankee Division of the U.S. Army during World War I.

Stubby was found as a stray puppy by Private J. Robert Conroy and became the division’s mascot, even accompanying them to the front lines in France.

He proved to be a valuable asset, warning soldiers of gas attacks and helping to apprehend a German spy.

Subsequently, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant, becoming the first dog to receive a rank in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Unfortunately, Stubby was wounded in battle but recovered and continued to serve, eventually returning home as a war hero.

He was honored with parades, visits to the White House, and is now preserved at the Smithsonian Institution.

Judy — English pointer became POW after her ship was torpedoed

Judy was a liver and white Pointer dog who was the only dog officially registered as a British prisoner of war during World War II.

She had a remarkable journey, serving as a mascot on the HMS Grasshopper, being shipwrecked, captured by the Japanese, and enduring over 3 years in Japanese prisoner of war camps.

Despite the hardships, Judy helped maintain morale among the prisoners and even saved lives through her intelligence and watchfulness.

She was awarded the Dickin Medal, the “Animals’ Victoria Cross”, for her courage and endurance.

After the war, Judy was reunited with her caretaker, Frank Williams, and lived with him until her death in 1950.

Lex — German shepherd stayed faithful when Marine handler killed

In 2007, Corporal Dustin Lee tragically lost his life in an Iraq explosion, leaving his loyal canine partner, Lex, injured but still by his side.

The bond between Lee and Lex was remarkable, leading Lee’s family to adopt Lex, who was honored with the Purple Heart for his bravery.

Despite facing mobility issues, Lex remained a devoted companion, attending public events in Quitman, Mississippi to honor Lee’s memory.

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