Sergeant Stubby
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Sergeant Stubby (1916 or 1917 – 1926) was the most decorated wardog of World War I, and the only dog to be promoted to sergeant through combat.
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[edit] Early life
Stubby, of unknown breed, was found as a stray at the age of several weeks on the Yale campus in 1917 by John Robert Conroy. Stubby marched with the men and even learned an approximate salute. When Conroy's unit shipped out to France, Stubby was smuggled aboard the USS Minnesota.
[edit] Military service
Stubby served with the 102nd Infantry, 26th (Yankee) Division in the trenches in France for 18 months and participated in four offensives and 17 battles. He entered combat on February 5, 1918 at Chemin des Dames, north of Soissons, and was under constant fire, day and night for over a month. Stubby’s presence served to lighten the stress on the men’s lives. In April 1918, during a raid to take Schieprey, Stubby was wounded in the foreleg by the retreating Germans throwing hand grenades. He was sent to the rear for convalescence, and like he had done on the front was able to improve morale. When he recovered from his wounds, Stubby returned to the trenches. After being gassed himself, Stubby learned to warn his unit of poison gas attacks, located wounded soldiers in no man's land, and — since he could hear the whine of incoming artillery shells before humans could — became very adept at letting his unit know when to duck for cover. He was even solely responsible for capturing a German spy in the Argonne. Following the retaking Château-Thierry by the US, the thankful women of the town made Stubby a chamois coat on which were pinned his many medals. There is also a legend that while in Paris with Corporal Conroy, Stubby saved a young girl from being hit by a car. At the end of the war, Conroy smuggled Stubby home.
[edit] Later years at Georgetown
Stubby attended Georgetown University with John Robert Conroy from 1922-23 and became the Georgetown Hoyas' mascot while Conroy was there. Stubby was given the football at halftime, and nudged the ball around the field to the amusement of the fans in the stadium. Stubby passed away on March 16, 1926 in Conroy's arms.
[edit] Stubby's medals and awards
On Christmas 1918 at Mandres-en-Basigny Stubby met President Woodrow Wilson and shook his hand. After the war, Stubby became a celebrity and marched in many parades. He also met Presidents Calvin Coolidge and Warren G Harding. Stubby was made a life member of the American Legion, the Red Cross, and the YMCA. In 1921 he was awarded a special gold medal by General John Pershing for service to his country.
- 3 Service Stripes
- Yankee Division YD Patch
- French Medal Battle of Verdun
- 1st Annual American Legion Convention Medal Minneapolis, Minnesota Nov 1919
- New Haven WW1 Veterans Medal
- Republic of France Grande War Medal
- St Mihiel Campaign Medal
- Wound stripe, replaced with Purple Heart when introduced in 1932
- Chateau Thierry Campaign Medal
- 6th Annual American Legion Convention
- Humane Education Society Gold Medal
[edit] Today
Stubby's remains were preserved and can be seen at the Smithsonian exhibit, The Price of Freedom: Americans at War.
Stubby was honored with a brick in the Walk of Honor at the United States World War I monument, Liberty Memorial, in Kansas City at a ceremony held on November 11, 2006.
[edit] See also
[edit] Sources
- The Hoya of Georgetown University, "From Mascot to Military, Stubby Left Pawprints on Hilltop and Beyond", November 4, 2003.
- Smithsonian Institution, "The Price of Freedom: Americans at War -- Stubby"
- Connecticut Military Department, "Stubby the Military Dog"
- History Wired, "Stubby," WW I Canine Hero 1921 [1]
