FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: Nemo ~ 09 January 2017

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[Kathy in Alaska]

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Nemo

Info from here and here

           

 In March 1965, military working dogs were approved for use in Vietnam. By July 17th, forty teams had been deployed to three bases - Tan Son Nhut, Ben Hoa and DaNang. This was only the beginning, by the end of the year there were 99 dogs in the country. By September 1966 more than 500 dog teams were deployed to ten bases. In the seventeen months between July 1965 and December 1966 not a single Viet Cong sapper team penetrated a base guarded by sentry dogs.

NEMO, THE FIRST  HERO Of His Kind...

He was the first hero of his kind to return from the Vietnam War. The welcoming committee watched him walk down the ramp of the plane that had just landed at Kelly Air Force Base. He was wounded, his right eye was missing and a scar ran from below his right eye socket to his mouth. But his wounds weren't what made him different from other returning Vietnam veterans... it was because he was a dog.

Of the many dogs that served this country in Vietnam, Nemo is probably the most famous.

Nemo was whelped October 1962 and was procured by the Air Force in the summer of '64, from a sergeant, for sentry dog training, when he was 1 1/2 years old.

After completing an eight-week training course at Lackland's Sentry Dog Training School, in San Antonio, Texas, the 85 pound, black and tan German Shepherd, and his new handler, Airman Bryant were assigned to Fairchild AB, Washington for duty with Strategic Air Command.

In January 1966, Nemo and handler Airman Leonard Bryant Jr. were transferred to the Republic of South Vietnam with a large group of other dog teams, and was assigned to the 377th Security Police Squadron, stationed at Tan Son Nhut Air Base.

Six months later, in July, Nemo's original handler rotated back to the States. The dog was then paired with 22 year old Airman 2nd Class Robert Thorneburg.

It's here that we begin our story, on how and why Nemo was to become famous...

Nemo - No. A534, 377th Security Police K-9
Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Vietnam.

Tan Son Nhut: The story took a tragic turn on December 4, 1966. During the early morning hours a group of 60 Viet Cong emerged from the jungle. Several sentry dog teams stationed on preventive perimeter posts gave the initial alert and warning almost simultaneously.

Immediately, Rebel, a sentry dog on patrol, was released. The response was a hail of bullets that killed the dog.

Forty-five minutes later the group was detected by sentry dog Cubby. Cubby was released with the same results. It was clear that the VC had learned to handle the attack dog.

Another dog, Toby, was killed and several handlers wounded before the attackers were finally driven off.

As a result of this early warning, security forces of the 377th Air Police Squadron successfully repelled the attack, minimizing damage to aircraft and facilities. Although wounded, one dog handler maintained contact with the enemy and notified Central Security Control of their location and direction of travel.

Two security policemen in a machine gun bunker were ready and waiting as the Viet Cong approached the main aircraft parking ramp. In a few seconds they stopped the enemy, killing all 13 of the attackers.

Security forces rapidly deployed around the perimeter and prevented the infiltrators from escaping, forcing them to hide. Three airmen and their dogs had died in the fighting. By day break, the search patrols believed that all of the remaining Viet Cong were killed or captured. Unfortunately supervisors did not include dog teams in those daylight patrols.

Airman 2nd Class Bob Thorneburg and his dog Nemo were to become legends later that night.

The sentry dog teams that climbed into the back of the army truck that night were quieter than usual. Many of the handlers were thinking about the events of the previous night. They were saddened by the loss of their fellow K-9s. They were also anxious about what awaited them on their patrols. There was a good chance that stragglers from the previous night's attack could still be out there. That night, Thorneburg and Nemo were assigned duty near an old Vietnamese graveyard about a quarter mile from the air base's runways. No sooner had they started their patrol... Nemo alerted on something in the cemetery. But before Thorneburg could radio the CSC, that "something" opened fire. Thorneburg released his dog and then charged firing into the enemy. Nemo was shot and wounded, the bullet entering under his right eye and exited through his mouth. Thorneburg killed one VC before he too was shot in the shoulder and knocked to the ground.

That might of been the sad end of the story. But Nemo refused to give in without a fight. Ignoring his serious head wound, the 85 pound dog threw himself at the Vietcong guerrillas who had opened fire. Nemo's ferocious attack brought Thorneburg the time he needed to call in backup forces.

A Quick Reaction Team arrived and swept the area but found no other Viet Cong. However, security forces, using additional sentry dog teams, located and killed four more Viet Cong. A second sweep with the dog teams resulted in discovery of four more Viet Cong who were hiding underground. They, too, were killed.

Although severely wounded, Nemo crawled to his master and covered him with his body. Even after help arrived Nemo would not allow anyone to touch Thorneburg. Finally separated, both were taken back to the base for medical attention. Thorneburg was wounded a second time on the return to the base.

Lt. Raymond T. Hutson, the base vet, worked diligently to save Nemo's life. It required many skin grafts to restore the animal's appearance. Nemo was blinded in one eye. After the veterinarian felt Nemo was well enough, the dog was put back on perimeter duty. But it turned out his wounds needed further treatment.

On June 23, 1967, Air Force Headquarters directed that Nemo be returned to the United States with honors, as the first sentry dog to be officially retired from active service.

Thorneburg had to be evacuated to the hospital at Tachikawa Air Base in Japan to recuperate. The handler and the dog who saved his life said their final goodbyes. Airman Thorneburg fully recovered from his wounds and also returned home with honors.

Nemo flew halfway around the world accompanied by returning airman Melvin W. Bryant. The plane touched down in Japan, Hawaii and California. At each stop, Air Force vets would examine the brave dog for signs of discomfort, stress and fatigue...after all he was a War Hero!

Finally, the C-124 Globemaster touched down at Kelly Air Force Base, Texas, on July 22, 1967. Captain Robert M. Sullivan, was the officer in charge of the sentry dog training program at Lackland, and was the head of Nemo's welcome home committee.

"I have to keep from getting involved with individual dogs in this program," Sullivan said, "but I can't help feeling a little emotional about this dog. He shows how valuable a dog is to his handler in staying alive."

After settling in Nemo and Captain Sullivan made a number of cross country tours and television appearances, as part of the Air Force's recruitment drive for more war dog candidates, until the US involvement in Vietnam started to wind down.

Nemo then spent the rest of his retirement at the Department of Defense Dog Center, Lackland AFB, Texas. He was given a permanent kennel near the veterinary facility. A sign with his name, serial number, and details of his Vietnam heroic exploit designated his freshly painted home.

Nemo died December 1972 at Lackland AFB, shortly before the Christmas holiday; after a failed attempt to preserve his remains, the Vietnam War hero was lain to rest on March 15, 1973, at the DoD Dog Center, at the age of 11. Until then, his presence at Lackland reminded students just how important a dog is to his handler - and to the entire unit.

 

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[ConorMacNessa]

Good morning Radu. It's 14F as of 7:30 a.m. EST - we bottomed out at 10F overnight - looking for a high of 29F this afternoon.

[SandRat]

Yet to Have my coffee and breakest

[left that other site]

Penny lay on the couch and binged on Law & Order reruns.

[luvie]

They probably are on a budget and have to go with what they can afford. I’m glad for the 3rd cam, but I do wish the cams would stay online! LOL!

[luvie]

Goooood mornin', Early Birds!
It's going to be warming up here this week!
Just please, not TOO warm!
I never know what to wear anymore!
I either have on too much and get hot...
...or leave the outer layer off and freeze! Sheesh!
Anyhooooooo....y'all have a Mahv'lus Monday!
And please don't overdo the work thingy!
🖥🖨👨🏻‍💻👩🏼‍🚒🤡
((((hugs))))

[TMSuchman]

Today I officially, threw my hat into the ring for a seat to the Winfield School dist board. There were 3 seats open [1 by resignation & 2 just unfilled] . So now I am going to do my best for the dist & the kids. And there are going to be some upset folks when they find out the blank check will end for them & their friends.

[radu]

Ooooo BRRRRRR! Your temps are what we had Sat. and yesterday. We’re at 43 at a little after 3 p.m. and the lowest I saw during the wee hours of the morning was 25.
Maybe this will all slide eastward and you’ll get the warm-up tomorrow. :-)

I think we’re all tired of this cold snap.
And we also know winter is just getting started. This is just a preview. :-(

[radu]

They’re all on a budget and some have more support from their viewers than others. They could have done without a third cam, imho. Cam 1 can go as 2 and 3 give us great views. And 1 seems to be out of commission most of the time, like now.

But the problems exist at other nest cams that use HDonTap. That’s why I groaned when Savannah switched to them last year. Oh well. It is what it is.

[mylife]

No Maam

[Soaring Feather]

Did you watch Finding Bigfoot? I like that show. And I like Mountain Monsters, too. LOL!
Yup watched finding big foot. Glad I don't creep around nights any more!!

[Soaring Feather]

What kind of critters are considered mountain monsters? Well, I don't know, critters that come out at night, I guess.

[radu]

What kind of critters are considered mountain monsters?

Well, I don't know, critters that come out at night, I guess.

Say what?

LOL!

[luvie]

It is. I think #1 is the older cam that wasn’t knocked down, so probably has more issues than the other ones. Could be wrong, though.

I just hope the owls come back! :)

[radu]

I left the computer on with the cam site up while scooping litter boxes and doling out meds to kitties this evening. I kept an eye on the cam in hopes of seeing Momma show up again since that’s the time frame she’s been showing up. No dice this evening.

I have it up now just in case she shows up later than usual. It’s still a little early for her to begin prepping the nest in earnest.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Congratulations, Mike....may you be easily elected and bring some sense to the district.

I love the end of the blank check.

[luvie]

I’m trying it. owl cam on the bottom and the rest on top. We’ll see how it works. I’d love to catch her on the nest. Peaches was quite taken with her. I think it was those big eyes. LOL!

[radu]

I hope the setup works out for you. I played around with setups and that one’s a comfy one for me to keep up with everything.

Momma does have big eyes and a VERY intense expression.

[luvie]

She does! Almost pierces the computer screen! LOL!

So far it’s working. it’s the only nest I’m watching right now. Everybirdy is asleep on the others. Borrrrrr-rrring! :)

[luvie]

Got this scap from a video this morning. Just couldn't resist! From NEFL....

Feeeeeeed Meeeeeee!!

[radu]

I would NOT want to be on her bad side! She’s so tender with her babies but you know she’d be mighty fierce when riled.

I only watch one nest at a time. Watch for a while, then go to another. Not much action at eagle nests at night any way, which is why I hope Momma owl decides to use that nest again. Activity at night! And soon, it’ll be stork season overseas and it’s daytime there when it’s nighttime here.

All plotted out. LOL!