Nemo A534

Nemo A534 was a German Shepherd Dog who served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War.^[1]

December 4, 1966

Tan Son Nhut Air Base, where Nemo was stationed, fell under attack by the Viet Cong in the early hours of December 4, 1966. Nemo would be released to attack Viet Cong later in the night, in the process losing one eye and suffering a gunshot wound to the nose. Despite his severe injuries, Nemo would save the life of his handler, Airman Robert A. Throneburg, who had also been wounded. Crawling across Throneburg's body, Nemo guarded his handler against any who dared to come near until medical help could arrive.^[2]

In the silence of darkness, the Airman Robert Throneburg and Sentry Dog Nemo patrolled near a graveyard on Tan Son Nhut Air base on the night of December 4, 1966. On security patrol, Nemo alerted Throneburg to a group of hidden VC."Watch him," said Airman Throneburg. The dog's muscles tensed for action."Get him!" -- was the next command and Nemo lunged savagely forward, into the enemy's nest. Airman Throneburg followed close behind.

In the first moments of encounter, Airman Throneburg and Nemo killed two of the VC. But, before additional security police could reach them, Airman Throneburg was wounded in the left side shoulder and then spun by the first bullet wound and was wounded again in the back left shoulder. After being wounded Throneburg radioed the insurgents locations before passing out. In the action, Nemo's eye was hit and his snout was creased by enemy bullets. Despite being wounded and blinded in one eye, Nemo returned to his handler. Crawling across Throneburg's body, Nemo guarded his handler against any who dared to come near until medical help could arrive. The residing Vet had to eventually be called in to remove Nemo from atop his handlers body. The remaining enemy were soon killed by other security police.

Nemo lost one of his eyes, but recovered from his wounds and was credited not only with saving the life of Airman Throneburg, but indirectly prevented further destruction of life and property at Tan Son Nhut.

Airman Robert Throneburg received two Purple Hearts and the Bronze Star Medal with the V for valor (BSV). Nemo was one of the first K-9 units retired and returned to the US.

Later life

Due to his heroic actions, after receiving his injuries Nemo was returned to Lackland Air Force Base in the United States where he was given a permanent retirement kennel. He continued working as a recruiting dog and died in December 1972 at Lackland where his memorial kennel and stone stands today in his honor.^[3]

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