The FReeper Foxhole Remembers The Canine Marine Raiders (1943-45) - Mar. 25th, 2003

http://www.usmarineraiders.org/wardogs.htm ^

[SAMWolf]

Thanks. I really appreciate it.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Army providing toll-free family assistance hotline
Stars and Stripes ^ | 3-26-03
 

[SAMWolf]

Thakns for the link, Oldeconomybuyer

[EternalVigilance]

Pay What We Owe

War is hell
So many pay
Freedom's price
In death they lay

But to bend our knees
To evil's threat
Would be far worse
Than to pay that debt

So bring the glory
Bring the gore
Cause we know damn well
What we're fighting for

Come what may
We'll win this fight
As our banners fly
By the dawn's sweet light

Our foe will bow
And not our side
Though the awful cost
Will make us cry

But when it's o'er
Our heads held high
We'll know they did
Our vict'ry buy

So honor them
And praise their names
The least they've earned
Is a heroes fame

EV

[united1000]

I had this story in a file and thought I would add it here.

 

Curly's War Record

A Dog Which Deserved a Pension from Uncle Sam for His Service With the 11th Ohio Volunteer Infantry

From: The Ohio Soldier May 5, 1888

Surviving members of General George Crook's "Kanawha" (W. Va.) division (later General John B. Turchin's) First brigade, Third division, Fourteenth corps, army of the Cumberland, will remember "Curly."

The 19th of April, 1861, found us in camp as Company A, Eleventh Ohio. Mrs. John Shellabarger had too many dogs, so she gave Curly to John Crouse, and he brought him to our company as a recruit, telling us Mrs. S. had said he was no good on earth for anything she knew of; so he ought to make a good soldier.

 
Curly was a water spaniel, liver-colored with a few white spots, large, beautiful brown eyes, wide, intelligent forehead, with a white face, and soon won his way to the hearts of all in his regiment.

When the regiment organized for three years Curly was included as brevet comrade of his company, and went with them to West Virginia, where he took an active part in the campaigns of the regiment. He was always in the advance, and during a skirmish would run between the lines barking, as much as to say the chaps over there were no friends of his.

On August 17, 1862, the regiment embarked on steamers from camp Piatt, and were soon heading down the Kanawha toward the Ohio. Heading up that stream the men soon jumped to the conclusion it was to the east Gen. J.D. Cox was taking us. We had now been "sogers" long enough for each company to own one or more dogs, and they were getting to be a burden; so our "majah" thought it a good time to unload the mongrel brood. He had a man detailed that night to throw every cur overboard and let him swim for his life, either to free Ohio or the "sacred isle." The detail reported to the major he was afraid to throw Company A's dog Curly overboard, saying if he did he was a goner sure. So that much of the order was revoked and our dog saved.

When the boats got as far as Blennerhasset's Island, the regiment had to disembark, owing to the bottom of the river being so near the surface, and Curly marched to Parkersburg, W.Va., with us; from there we had a B. & O. stock-car to Harper's Ferry. He stuck to his command at second Bull Run, Frederick City, Sand Mountain and Antietam; then back to Clarksburg, W.Va.; then we marched overland to Summerville, W.Va.

At Buchanan Company I. was target practicing a little, when Curly ran into the bushes behind the target. Captain Staley fired about that time, and caught Curly in the neck, just about where he wore his badge, which bore this legend:

" I am company A's dog. Whose dog are you?"

Captain Hatfield detailed a nurse, and Curly was placed in a wagon, carefully nursed, and soon reported for duty. He got into a goodly number of scrapes for a member of such a modest, moral regiment as the Eleventh Ohio was reputed to be.

At Chickamauga Curly elected to stay on the field to take care of our wounded, as he knew how it was himself. Think of the friendly, pitying glance of their mute comrade as he passed from one wounded sufferer to another and could render no aid; but he was true and resisted the blandishments of the confed who tempted him with a morsel of food to leave his old comrades. When General Thomas arranged for the parole and return of our wounded, Curly took advantage of the flag of truce, and came in with the unfortunates.

Here his luck went dead against him. A captain of another regiment - the Tenth Ohio, I believe - saw him and took quite a fancy to him and tied him up to his tent. The boys of company A, finding Curly had come in set out to find him, and soon did so. The captain claimed the dog and refused to part with him. The colonel of the Tenth, hearing the rumpus, came up to learn what it was all about. Jule Ogier, I think, spoke for Curly and asked only that he be let loose, which the colonel ordered done, when the dog rushed among his friends. So Curly once more took his place at the camp-fire and mess table.

 
Curly was at Mission Ridge after that. As the regiment came home, in 1864, he got shoved off the cars while in motion somewhere near Bowling Green, Ky. One of our regiment was sent back, and poor Curly was found with a leg broken. He was carefully patched up and returned to Dayton, where he found a home with his old comrade, Baggot, near Osborn, O.

 
The Eleventh boys wanted Curly at all reunions, so a comrade in Dayton, O., took him. Later he was sent to the central branch of the national soldiers home, D.V.S. at Dayton. He fared sumptuously there and lived to the good old age of twelve years, when he died amongst his soldier friends and was buried by them in the hallowed and patriotic precincts of that beautiful place.

By: T.L. Stewart, Co. A, Eleventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in National Tribune.

From: The Ohio Soldier May 5, 1888

 

 

[SAMWolf]

Good writing EV, I like the title, very appropriate.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

**PHOTOS* -- Images of the 'unilateral' liberation of Iraq
 

[SAMWolf]

Good story, thanks for sharing it here, united1000.

[SAMWolf]

Thanks for the link, Oldeconomybuyer. Nice to see the Brits and our troops doing a good job.

[SCDogPapa]

A TRIBUTE TO THE WAR DOGS OF THE UNITED STATES MILITARY

Dedicated to the memory of all those who served . . . Italy, France, Russia, Belgium, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, and Great Britain all have formal monuments and decorations dedicated to war dogs by the military organizations under which they served. War dogs in other countries have also been awarded medals and other forms of official recognition for serving their countries. Of all of the countries to employ the use and help of dogs during times of war, the United States military stands alone as the only world military to not formally acknowledge the contributions made by its canine soldiers. Due to a policy that has existed since World War II, and despite the protests of armed forces personnel, the United States military refuses to formally recognize the accomplishments of its canine soldiers, stating that such recognition is "demeaning to servicemen."

Nearly 4000 dogs served in Vietnam and saved up to 10,000 American servicemen through their scouting and sentry duties. When withdrawing from Vietnam in 1973, the military classified the dogs as surplus equipment to be left behind during evacuation. Many dogs were left with South Vietnamese allies who were afraid of the dogs and didn't know how to handle them. Many of the dogs were euthanized, and many more perished at the hands of their inexperienced South Vietnamese handlers. Only a handful of Vietnam war dogs made it back to the United States. Many handlers and trainers who worked with these dogs were traumatized by having to leave their faithful companions behind, stating that the dogs saved their lives and often did more work than they did.

Relegated to the status of military equipment rather than personnel, dogs in the U.S. military are drafted for life and are euthanized once they are deemed infirm and incapable of continuing their jobs. The military claims that these dogs are incapable of being retired to civilian life, despite the fact that police dogs, which receive identical training, are successfully and peacefully retired to loving
homes and families upon retirement. As a result of the indifference shown toward war dogs, many of their accomplishments have been unjustly forgotten, or at best, relegated to the status of "trivia" by war buffs. Many of the records of war dogs and their handlers have been lost or destroyed, and the public remains largely unaware of the contributions by dogs in the armed forces.

It is hoped through this message that these dogs will be remembered and appreciated for the services they provided for our armed forces and to our country. Please copy and forward this page or address to as many dog lovers as you can so that these canine heroes are not forgotten.

Not Forgotten are . .

STUBBY, Bull Terrier mix, WWI. The most decorated war dog in U.S. history. As a small, stray bull terrier, he was smuggled aboard a troop ship to France. There he was wounded in no-man's land but recovered and still served in battles at Chateau Thierry, the Marne and the Meuse-Argonne with the men of the 102nd Infantry. One night in February 1918, he roused a sleeping sergeant to warn of a gas attack, giving the soldiers time to don masks and thus saving them. Gen John "Black Jack" Pershing awarded him a special Gold Medal. He was given Life Membership in the American Legion and the Red Cross. He met Presidents Wilson, Harding, and Coolidge. He died of old age in 1926. Stubby is now on display as part of American military history in the Hartford Armory in Connecticut and is called "Sargeant Stubby".

JACK, Bull Terrier mix, Union army, U.S. Civil War.
GENERAL, Saint Bernard, 14th North Carolina Infantry, Confederate Army, U.S. Civil War.
ROBERT LEE, Troupe Artillery, Confederate Army, U.S. Civil War.
SARGE 1A43, German Shepherd, Vietnam.
PRINCE 55-M-9, German Shepherd mix, Vietnam.
LUKE, black Labrador Retriever, Vietnam
PATCHES, Vietnam, one of the few war dogs given passage back home to the United States.
NEMO, German Shepherd, Wounded in Vietnam. Depsite losing an eye to gunfire, he threw himself on 4 Viet Cong to save his handler in 1966. Both survived. One of the few Vietnam war dogs given passage back home to the United States.
TROY, Alaskan Malamute, served the U.S. Air Force in the early 1980's.
LISLE, German Shepherd-Collie mix, served the U.S. Army in the early 1980's.
THOR, German Shepherd, Desert Storm.
BUNS, German Shepherd, Desert Storm.
SMOKEY, German Shepherd, Desert Storm.
BANDIT, German Shepherd, Desert Storm.
ASTOR, German Shepherd, Desert Storm.
PENNY, Beagle, Desert Storm.
TOSCA, Belgian Malinois, Desert Storm.
NERO 304J, Belgian Malinois, Desert Storm.
CARLO, Belgian Malinois, Desert Storm. During a ceremony in which Carlo's handler received the Bronze Star for his service in Kuwait, his handler removed the medal from his own uniform and pinned it to Carlo's collar, saying, "Carlo worked harder than me. He was always in front of me."
PASJA, Belgian Malinois, euthanized for being too old to continue serving.
NORMAN SADLER, Fox Terrier, fundraiser during WWII.
BOOTS, trick dog, fundraiser during WWII.
RONNIE, German Shepherd, WWII, U.S. Coast Guard Dog Patrol.
BOB, Collie mix, WWII, led more forays into German territory than any other U.S. soldier in WWII, human or canine.
BUSTER, WWII, killed in action.
RICKY, Welsh Shepherd, parachuting scout dog, WWII.
DUKE, Doberman Pinscher, served in the Pacific during WWII.
CHIPS, German Shepherd-Collie-Husky mix, WWII, Tank guard dog and the most decorated dog in WWII being awarded the Silver Star for Valor and a Purple Heart. When he and his handler was attacked by a conceled machine gun in July 1943 during the invasion of Sicily, he streaked for the Italian machine gun pillbox, capturing 4 Italian soldiers and saving his handler. He suffered powder burns and a scalp wound - proof that the Italians had tried to kill him. That same night he helped capture another 10 Italian soldiers. The U.S. newspapers called him a hero. He was personally thanked for his services by General Eisenhower. Chips' military honors were removed because the the commander of the Order of the Purple Heart determined that decorating a dog was "demeaning to servicemen."
DUG, Belgian Shepherd, Korean War.
BRUTE, Belgian Shepherd, Korean War.
CASEY, Belgian Shepherd, Korean War.
ROY, Belgian Shepherd, Korean War.
SHERI, Belgian Shepherd, Korean War.
MAC, first canine casualty in Vietnam.
PAL, scout dog, Vietnam.
TROUBLES, scout dog, Vietnam.
VALENTINE 3F38, German Shepherd, died in Vietnam.
BUCK, German Shepherd mix, Vietnam, killed in action.
ROYAL 19X8, German Shepherd, Vietnam, killed in action.
DUKE 383M, German Shepherd, Vietnam, killed in action.
CLACKER, German Shepherd, Vietnam, killed in action.
KREIGER, German Shepherd, Vietnam, killed in action.
PONCHO, German Shepherd, Vietnam, killed in action.
DUKE 645f, German Shepherd, Vietnam, missing in action.
EBONY, German Shepherd, Vietnam, 47th Scout Dog Platoon.
DUFFER, German Shepherd, Vietnam, 212th Sentry Dog Co.
SUZIE, German Shepherd, Vietnam. Her handler gave her his Bronze Star.
BLACKIE 129X, left behind in Vietnam.
HEIDI, scout dog, left behind in Vietnam.
KRISTIANNA, German Shepherd, left behind in Vietnam.
WARRIOR, German Shepherd, left behind in Vietnam.
COMMANDER, German Shepherd, left behind in Vietnam.
WINSTON, German Shepherd, left behind in Vietnam.
TIMBER, German Shepherd, left behind in Vietnam.
CLIPPER, German Shepherd, left behind in Vietnam.
ORION, German Shepherd, left behind in Vietnam.
SMOKEY, German Shepherd, nicknamed "Flop," left behind in Vietnam.
WOLF, Vietnam.
REX, German Shepherd, nicknamed "Punky," Vietnam.
YORK, German Shepherd, Vietnam.
DUKE, German Shepherd, Vietnam.
BOY, German Shepherd, Vietnam.
NASTY, German Shepherd, Vietnam.
ZORRO, German Shepherd, Vietnam.
MAX, German Shepherd, Vietnam.
KOENIG, German Shepherd, Vietnam.
BRIAN-4M4, German Shepherd, Vietnam.
KING, German Shepherd, Vietnam.
KIESER, German Shepherd, Vietnam
HUDSONS KING, German Shepherd, Vietnam.
RUSTY 775E, German Shepherd, Vietnam.
IRKO, German Shepherd, Vietnam.
TIGER, German Shepherd, Vietnam.
INK, German Shepherd, Vietnam.
REBEL, German Shepherd, Vietnam.
CHIEF, German Shepherd, Vietnam.
SMOKIE 6X65, German Shepherd, Vietnam.
SLIM SN# 84M6, German Shepherd, Vietnam.
PUDDLES 807M, German Shepherd, Vietnam.
JOUNK, German Shepherd, Vietnam.
BRUISER, German Shepherd, Vietnam.
ROGER 3M84, German Shepherd, Vietnam.
DUKE 847A, German Shepherd, Vietnam.
BUDDY A601, German Shepherd, Vietnam.
BIG BOY, German Shepherd, Vietnam.
TARZAN W195, German Shepherd, Vietnam.
BLITZ, German Shepherd, Vietnam.
GARDO 86XO, German Shepherd, Vietnam.
MACK, German Shepherd, Vietnam.
ERIC, German Shepherd, Vietnam.
FRITZ 584F, German Shepherd, Vietnam.
GEISHA A871, German Shepherd, Vietnam.
DOBE 7X49, German Shepherd, Vietnam.
REX 75M3, German Shepherd, Vietnam.
SHEPPY, German Shepherd, Vietnam.
CLYDE, German Shepherd, Vietnam.
CHEROKEE, German Shepherd, Vietnam.
SPOOK 235X, German Shepherd, Vietnam.
BUFFY 87M3, German Shepherd, Vietnam.
KNIGHT, German Shepherd, Vietnam.

PRINCE 347E, German Shepherd,Vietnam (see photo). He served our country his entire adult life and was put to rest on October 2, 1968, at the War Dog Hospital, Long Binh, Vietnam. "I have remembered him every day for the last 39 years and will continue to do so until I join him. Thank you very much for honoring those that the military/politicians in DC forgot so many years ago." - Robert L. Ott, Initial Trainer and Handler (Direct personal message to this webmaster)

~and countless other dogs, known and unknown, that served their country. If only the leaders of this nation could serve us so well and so honestly, maybe this world would be a better place.

"The fate of animals is of greater importance to me than the fear of appearing ridiculous; it is indissolubly connected with the fate of [wo]men." - Emile Zola (1840-1902)

Please visit these other great sites about War Dogs:

Army Quartermaster Foundation

Vietnam Dog Handler Association

The Vietnam Dog Handler Association, a veterans group, is spearheading the drive to honor America's war dogs with a national memorial. To learn more or to make a donation, please visit their web site shown above.

Thank you for reading this and remembering our canine heros. - Webmaster

For information or questions about this page contact: webmaster@eagleid.com

http://www.eagleid.com/post127/dogs.htm

[SAMWolf]

Thanks for the great info and links on wardogs SCDogPapa.

[PhilDragoo]

I spent five years with a lady who bred German Shepherds.

She was very proud of placing them with Seeing Eye, Albuquerque PD, and NM State Police.

They were ferocious when required, inspiring in action, lovingly devoted.

My stepson prior to USNA graduation was engaged to an Army gal whose bomb dog kept our Secretary of State safe in Europe.

Having seen the previous administration admit a million illegal immigrants without the slightest exam, the denial of reentry for the military dogs is inexcusable.

I therefore recommend we immediately replace the 33 congressmen who voted against the recent resolution supporting our troops with 33 canine Marine raiders or equivalent.

[PhilDragoo]

I spent five years with a lady who bred German Shepherds.

She was very proud of placing them with Seeing Eye, Albuquerque PD, and NM State Police.

They were ferocious when required, inspiring in action, lovingly devoted.

My stepson prior to USNA graduation was engaged to an Army gal whose bomb dog kept our Secretary of State safe in Europe.

Having seen the previous administration admit a million illegal immigrants without the slightest exam, the denial of reentry for the military dogs is inexcusable.

I therefore recommend we immediately replace the 33 congressmen who voted against the recent resolution supporting our troops with 33 canine Marine raiders or equivalent.

[Jen]

Thank you for that fantastic tribute to military war dogs. I never knew they had served in so many wars. Salute to all our canine warriors past and present and their brave handlers.

Just curious about your screenname... Were you a military dog handler?

[Jen]

Thanks for supporting our troops and the Foxhole!!!

[Jen]

From the FAQs on the Defenselink.mil website:

Question: What can I do to support our troops?

Answer: Thank you for thinking of our troops! Thousands of Americans are asking what they can do to show their support for servicemembers, especially those serving overseas in this time of war. Below are Web sites for several organizations that are sponsoring programs for members of the Armed Forces overseas. While it would be inappropriate for the Department to endorse any specifically, servicemembers do value and appreciate such expressions of support:

"Gifts from the Homefront" Certificates now allow you to send a gift certificate to a loved one, family member or dear friend associated with the military. These certificates are redeemable by Authorized Patrons of the PX/BX and are redeemable at all locations around the world including deployed areas.

Donate to "Operation USO Care Package"

The Gift of Groceries program helps meet the family needs of our Guard and Reserve troops fighting the war on terrorism.

Donate a calling card to help keep servicemembers in touch with their families at Operation Uplink.

Send a greeting via e-mail through Operation Dear Abby.

Sign a virtual thank you card at the Defend America Web site.

The newspaper "Stars and Stripes" includes a daily ""Messages of Support" section giving family and friends of deployed service members a chance to pass along greetings, announcement, and words of encouragement. Such messages (LIMITED TO 50 WORDS OR LESS) will be printed on a first-come, first-run basis. Messages may be sent to: messages@stripes.com.

Support the American Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency Services

Purchase a Patriot Bond

Make a donation to one of the military relief societies:

Army Emergency Relief

Navy/Marine Relief Society

Air Force Aid Society

Coast Guard Mutual Assistance

Volunteer at a VA Hospital to honor veterans who bore the lamp of freedom in past conflicts.

Reach out to military families in your community, especially those with a loved one overseas.

Please do not flood the military mail system with letters, cards, and gifts. Due to security concerns and transportation constraints, the Department cannot accept items to be mailed to "Any Servicemember." Some people have tried to avoid this prohibition by sending large numbers of packages to an individual servicemember's address, which however well intentioned, clogs the mail and causes unneccessary delays.

The support and generosity of the American people has touched the lives of many servicemembers, over 300,000 of whom are deployed overseas.

[SCDogPapa]

"Thank you for that fantastic tribute to military war dogs."

Thank you. That came in on the Senior-L dog list I am on last year. I just thought it would be appropriate.

"Just curious about your screenname... Were you a military dog handler?"

No, I am just a dog lover who has had many dogs in the past. I have 6 dogs. All rescues. All mixed breeds. I have been their Papa.

I also have 3 cats. Well,,,WE, have 6 dogs and 3 cats. :)

I used the name DogPapa on Pow Wow chat rooms a few years ago. After PW shut down, I added the SC for South Carolina.

[SAMWolf]

Having seen the previous administration admit a million illegal immigrants without the slightest exam, the denial of reentry for the military dogs is inexcusable.

Evening PhilDragoo, I can sure agree with that statement.

[Humal]

Excellent article SAMWolf. You post many articles that are interesting, but this is one of the best.

[Victoria Delsoul]

Evening everyone.

Patrols with dogs were never ambushed during the war, said Putney. "It's true the dogs paid a heavy price, but they saved many lives, including my own." Putney, a veterinarian and Silver Star recipient, provided the health care for the dogs on Guam, who collectively received 40 Purple Hearts.