National Dog Day(s)

Aug 31

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OUR MILITARY WORKING DOGS

'Scoop' - Stars & Stripes mascot in Korea Sept. 1950

‘Scoop’ – Stars & Stripes mascot in Korea Sept. 1950

Whether battle-trained or just loyal, man’s best friend has been photographed following troops into battle since the Civil War. And just like the changes in tactics through the years, the relationship between servicemembers and canine companions has evolved through training, on the battlefield, and how they’re used back home.

With wagging tales and slobbering kisses, dogs now help assimilate servicemembers to life away after returning home — something Stars and Stripes has documented several times in the twilight of the United States’ most recent conflicts.

Smedley Butler - USMC, San Diego facing his Drill Sgt.

Smedley Butler – USMC, San Diego facing his Drill Sgt.

In celebration of National Dog Day, here’s a look back at the dogs that have greeted, helped and stayed by their best friends during the most trying times.

 tibbetts.meredith@stripes.com
For a video about working dog, trained by veterans – for veterans______
http://www.stripes.com/news/veterans/new-leash-on-life-service-dogs-trained-by-and-for-wounded-warriors-1.334415
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Military Dog Humor – eb41315790d1b4cd9f364661285535e5

dog-humor

 

 

DvilDog1

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Farewell Salutes – 

Albert Boverio – San Jose, CA; US Army, WWII, ETO, 95th Field Artillery Battalion

Chester Carter – NY & NC; US Army, WWII, ETOBaby on tombstone.jpg Those left behind.

Milton Frederick – W> AUS; RA Army, WWII

Desmond Knauf – Rotorua, NZ; RNZ Navy #NZ3354, WWII

Henry Lee – Wichita, KS; US Army Air Corps, WWII

Frank Peterson Jr. – Stevensville, MD; USMC, Korea & Vietnam [1st Black Marine pilot]

Matthew Roland – Lexington, KY; US Air Force, Afghanistan, 21/23 Special Tactics Squadron, Captain

Forest Sibley – Pensacola, FL; US Air Force, Afghanistan, Special Operations, SSgt.

William Owen Young – Burma & CAN; Royal Bombay Sappers & Miners, WWII, 411 Parachute Squadron

Frank Zimmerman Jr. – Gresham, OR; US Army, WWII, PTO, Bronze Star, Purple Heart

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About GP

Everett Smith served with the Headquarters Company, 187th Regiment, 11th A/B Division during WWII. This site is in tribute to my father, "Smitty." GP is a member of the 11th Airborne Association. Member # 4511 and extremely proud of that fact!

Posted on August 31, 2015, in Current News, Korean War, Uncategorized, WWII and tagged , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink. 86 Comments.

  3. oldpoet56 | April 8, 2018 at 2:11 PM

    Very note worthy article, I am going to reblog this one for you.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  4. Gypsy Bev | September 6, 2015 at 10:26 PM

    Man’s best friend for sure! I have an author friend, M.J. Madden, who donates a portion of every book she sells to the Wounded Warriors Program.

    Like

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  5. Dennis the Vizsla | September 5, 2015 at 2:48 PM

    hello gp cox its dennis the vizsla dog hay ha ha ha ha ha those loldogs are histerikal!!! and i am not just saying that becuz the sekund wun skayrs me a littel!!! ha ha ok bye

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  6. Hammerhead | September 3, 2015 at 6:48 AM

    GP, I am passing this post on to Tom Ricks over at Foreign Policy, he does a series on Military Working Dogs and I think he would love to re-blog this..that way you can get some national readers and attention!

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    • GP Cox | September 3, 2015 at 6:52 AM

      Thank you very much, Steven. I’m merely the narrator here – the troops and their animals did the work and it is they who deserve the recognition! I appreciate your consideration.

      Like

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  7. Linda Arthur Tejera | September 2, 2015 at 5:34 PM

    I love this, GP. I think our service dogs are finally starting to get some recognition. I’ve been seeing articles and references showing up a bit more. What a service they give. Now, if the military/govt would give them the recognition/honors/awards they so justly deserve.

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  8. chattykerry | September 2, 2015 at 4:52 PM

    Thank you for paying tribute to all the fantastic working military animals, past and present. I love watching the working dogs at the airport, especially those that sniff out explosives, keeping us safe everyday.

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  9. Doctor Lynn | September 2, 2015 at 2:33 PM

    Oh, what a wonderful post. I had to laugh at the husky meme. Reminded me of my puppies…

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  10. The Emu | September 1, 2015 at 11:34 PM

    Great blog gp,Dogs were highly regarded in Vietnam, sad part about the Army dogs in Vietnam they couldn’t be returned to Australia due to quarantine restrictions, sad to see their handlers lead them to the side of the airport at Nui Dat and put them down.
    Cheers

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  11. In My Cluttered Attic | September 1, 2015 at 3:33 PM

    Truly mans best friend, and pretty much fearless when it comes to protecting those they love, despite danger to themselves. Wonderful piece GP. ;o)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  12. Mustang.Koji | September 1, 2015 at 4:51 AM

    Lovely slide show, gpcox… Love our best friends! My oldest had to put down her Corgi this morning… 😦

    I hope you stayed dry!

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  14. Aviationtrails | September 1, 2015 at 3:16 AM

    They are very loyal and brave creatures who will do anything for Their handlers. There have been some very moving and funny pictures of dogs In War, and they deserve a lot of recognition (as do a lot of other animals we draft in!)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  15. doesitevenmatter3 | September 1, 2015 at 12:40 AM

    Love this beautiful tribute to man(kinds) best friend…as my dog is one my best friends and I are a woman! 🙂
    Dogs have worked in pretty much every area of humans lives! It’s amazing what they can do and have done! I can’t imagine life without them! 🙂
    HUGS!!! 🙂

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  17. Claire St. Hilaire | August 31, 2015 at 11:02 PM

    Thank you so much for this tribute to military dogs. Dogs, even those not trained as working dogs, are so important to the health of many of our veterans. I wrote to one veteran who was dealing with a lot of battle stress and he was so happy when I sent him just a little stuffed dog because it reminded him of home and the love only a dog can give :).

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  18. ibdesignsusa | August 31, 2015 at 12:38 PM

    Great tribute. They sure deserve the recognition for all that they do.I also have heard that they help many with PTS with their unconditional love.Love the humor especially the one with the pilot on the right 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  19. Carl D'Agostino | August 31, 2015 at 12:26 PM

    *The United States War Dogs Association*

    *War Dog Commemorative Stamp* *——————————*

    Their training is intense; their working conditions are deplorable; their lives are always on the line; and in at least one case, namely Vietnam, their rewards were non-existent. This profile describes the most innocent and vulnerable of combat veterans-our Nation’s War Dogs.

    After most wars, surviving dogs were returned to American soil and given a welcome reserved for*heroes. *After the Vietnam conflict, this warm reception did *not *take place.

    *Sadly, thousands of canine veterans were either killed in battle or left to die in a foreign land.*

    *Let us be able to honor these courageous, loyal canine veterans with a, United States War Dog Commemorative Stamp.*

    *Click on War Dog below to go to Commenorative Stamp Petition. Thank you.*

    *War Dog*

    *Commemorative Stamp Petition *

    *Please sign petition, Thank you.*

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  20. Jacqui Murray | August 31, 2015 at 11:35 AM

    Military dogs are such a wonderful part of our services. Thanks for the good read.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  21. Andrew | August 31, 2015 at 11:33 AM

    The dog looking through the ‘scope is excellent. I don’t think our dog could do that.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  22. Tobe Damit | August 31, 2015 at 10:20 AM

    How nice of you to think of our furry friends. I have many times thouhgt of how free, limitless and unconditionnal their love is. Dogs have 500 hundred timed more detailed sent then man, we just have no idea how crucial not only dogs but every animal on this plant is essentiel to the survival of the planet and yet we often only think of them on how they can be of any use to us. Going as far as using them in our conflicts and getting them killed and they still do it more then willingly, sacrificing their lives for our stupidity. Thank you s much for giving them the credit they deserve and btw I salute the sacrifice of all soldiers as well of course. My grandfather was a decorated war Hero. He was one of the rare French Canadian to have survived the Dieppe Raid during WW2. My grandfather never had a high rank because he was a scout. If you go on my blog you will see a picture of him on the page named Tobe/Not To be in the best posts and pages section. On the picture you can see him with who would later become General Dextrase because scouts often work with the high ranked since they are the first to go check the ennemies territories and come back with precious information. And that, as you probably already know, take some balls. Very often he was close to step on a much more bigger detachment then he expected and that my friend is a very bad suprise during wartime! I salute you, your courage, your dedication on defending the people who couldn’t do it for themselves. Thank you for everything you are and represent. I do not want you to think that soldiers are stupid but like you probably do, I do think most Wars are the result of the stupidity of a very few who are clever enough to drag lots of people into it. Stupidity would not be the right word but thirst of power and GREED. Unfortunately they still, more then ever the sources of all evil on this earth. Sorry if I am very far from the subject!!! I do hope my English was good enough that you didn’t misunderstood what I am trying to say. Thank you for this very interesting post and even more for being on this earth… I am sorry if I seemed to be overly proud of my grandfather’s achievments during the War. You can rest assured that I know that every little action by all men counts. I know it is a team effort. If I was overly proud of my grandfather it is also because he was the nicest, most patient, peaceful and caring parent I ever had. I have so much more to say but I do not want to use up all the space…. Let me just say thank you for everything, one last time and that you have my deepest and all most sincere respect.

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  23. easyweimaraner | August 31, 2015 at 9:52 AM

    what a wonderful tribute for this fabulous dogs who were heroes too :o)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  24. needhamb | August 31, 2015 at 9:31 AM

    Really great photos of these adorable dogs.

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  25. mkcasey80 | August 31, 2015 at 9:17 AM

    I love that slide show. These animals are so wonderful!

    Marcey

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  26. Doc' & CJ | August 31, 2015 at 9:04 AM

    Many of these returning Veterans are severely traumatized or are otherwise unable to be adopted out, re-assigned or retired. Heroes like them used to be euthanized routinely upon completion of their tours of duty, but now even they have a proper home available.

    They have Earned our support. Please checkout Warrior Dog Foundation.
    http://warriordogfoundation.org/

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    Reply
  27. jfwknifton | August 31, 2015 at 8:05 AM

    Some brilliant photographs, especially the dog looking through the telescope. I have always been a great admirer of a phrase written by Shakespeare in his play “Julius Caesar”…
    “Cry ‘Havoc!’, and let slip the dogs of war”.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  28. messupdressup03 | August 31, 2015 at 7:40 AM

    It’s national dog day? I Dint know!! Beautiful writing & pictures!!! Happy to connect ❤ Do check out my writings too, will appreciate your reviews 😊

    Like

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  29. Photobooth Journal | August 31, 2015 at 7:28 AM

    What these working animals achieve is little short of miraculous. I used to be a puppy raiser for the guide dog association in my home state. What the dogs could achieve never ceased to amaze me. It is lovely to see a tribute to military animal service and bravery.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  30. newsferret | August 31, 2015 at 7:21 AM

    A nice tribute to the most unsung heroes.

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  31. Dan Antion | August 31, 2015 at 7:13 AM

    Very nice tribute to working dogs.

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  32. Gallivanta | August 31, 2015 at 7:07 AM

    Great to see the National Monument for Military Working Dogs.

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  33. beetleypete | August 31, 2015 at 6:28 AM

    Nice tribute to the animals that serve in the military, and some amusing photos too. When I was young, we had to move to a house where we couldn’t take our dog, a black Labrador.
    It was a worrying time, but my Dad donated her to the Air Force, where she would be trained as a working dog for the military. That made us feel much better about seeing her go.
    In the UK, we have a medal for animal bravery, and it has even been awarded to carrier pigeons! here’s a link.
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dickin_Medal
    Best wishes, Pete.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • GP Cox | August 31, 2015 at 6:40 AM

      That is a great award. I know many animal groups have tried to get our Dept. of Defense to issue a medal specifically for the working dogs, but as of yet – no. [as far as I know] I do know after being trained, going to war, saving lives, and getting killed themselves – then they may be entitled to a civilian award or “Honorary” purple heart….

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

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