Sergeant Stubby
Sergeant Stubby is recognized as the most decorated war dog in World War I and the only dog reputed to be promoted to sergeant through combat by the U.S. military. There are no records that confirm his rank but he is widely recognized for his work during the war to protect and aid the soldiers of the 102nd Infantry Regiment. Stubby got his start in the military when he hung around Yale University where the men of the 102nd Infantry were training. Corporal Robert Conroy grew close to the dog and when it was time for the infantry to ship out, he hid the dog on the ship and under his coat so that Stubby would come with him to France. When Stubby was discovered by the commanding officer, the dog delivered a salute just as he had been taught and the commander allowed the dog to stay with the regiment.
Stubby was an intrepid dog who fought on the front lines with the other men. When he was injured by mustard gas, a special mask was designed for him. After that, he was able to warn the men of poison gas attack before the men could detect it themselves. He also helped to find wounded soldiers in No Man’s Land and used his superior hearing to listen for the whine of incoming artillery to warn the men before they could hear it themselves. He got promoted to the rank of Sergeant when he captured a German spy in the Argonne all on his own.
He was hand-made a coat by the women of Chateau-Thierry when American troops retook the town. From then on Stubby’s medals were pinned to his coat. When the war ended Conroy once again smuggled the dog on board the troop ship home. He was welcomed back as a hero and spent the rest of his days with Conroy. Upon Stubby’s death in 1926, his body was preserved and is now displayed at the Smithsonian.