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When Uncle Sam Called, These Adorable Animals Bravely Reported For Duty
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When we celebrate our troops, we obviously focus on the brave men and women who have selflessly volunteered their lives in times of war to protect those of us at home. But history is also filled with other soldiers just as deserving of honor and recognition.
These animals marched alongside their human servicemen and women to assist with everything from carrying heavy supplies to simply putting a much-needed smile on their face.
1. Sergeant Stubby
After the stray stumbled into military training grounds at Yale, he was adopted by one of the privates, who then snuck him onto the front lines of France, where he helped warn the troops of oncoming air attacks, located wounded soldiers, and even uncovered a German spy. By the end of the war, the pup outranked his owner, who only made it to corporal.
2. Togo the cat
He sailed side by side with the naval officers of the HMS Dreadnought in World War I, noted as the first “big gun” ship of its kind.
3. Fox cub flyboy
This cutie kept the crew of France”s No. 32 Squadron at Humieres Aerodrome company and their morale high as their mascot during World War I.
4. Camels of India
Camels were used on the Northwest Frontier of India to carry wounded men safely away from the World War I front lines.
5. Medic dogs
The French Red Cross used pups like these in World War I to help sniff out wounded soldiers in need of patching up on the Western Front.
6. Simon the cat
Discovered wandering around Hong Kong in 1948, Simon joined the crew of the HMS Amethyst and received special accommodation following World War II for his work in raising morale and killing off a rat infestation that had been depleting their rations all while recovering from canon shell injuries.
7. Monkey mascot
This little fella hung out with the men training at the Third Army Trench Mortar School during World War I, shown here sitting on a captured German trench mortar.
8. Mules of Salonika
Salonika is a mountain-filled Italian town, making it impossible for bulkier horses to travel the terrain, so these pack animals were brought in to carry supplies for the troops in World War I.
9. G.I. Joe the pigeon
As a member of the United States Army Pigeon Service in World War II, G.I. Joe swiftly carried a message from British troops explaining they no longer needed air assistance. He made the 20-mile delivery in just 20 minutes, saving the area from an unwanted air raid.
10. Regimental cat
The York and Lancaster Regiment had this cuddly mascot to keep them company in the trenches of France during World War I.
11. Jet of Iada
Originally from Liverpool, this dog moved to London, where he helped save the lives of over 150 people buried under blitzed buildings while serving for the Civil Defense Services of London during World War II.
12. Calm camels
Previously considered a bit ornery (the spitting doesn”t help), this Australian soldier shows the sillier side of the camels used during World War I in Egypt.
13. Wire dogs
German troops used canines like this handsome fellow to lay out telephone wire in the fields of World War I.
14. Military dolphins
Both the United States and Soviet militaries have used these mammals to sniff out underwater land mines. The U.S. Navy has also trained other marine life, like sea lions and seals, to fetch items found in the ocean.
15. Messenger dogs
Along with pigeons, pups were used to carry messages across the front lines of World War I, shown here dutifully making a delivery to one of the handlers of the Royal Engineers (Signals).
16. Glowworm lanterns
While in the European trenches of World War I, soldiers collected these luminous insects and kept them in jars to help them read reports and letters from home, and find their way through the dark mire without having to light flames.
17. Olga, Regal, and Upstart
London”s Metropolitan Police Service honored these mounts who, during World War II, were among the many horses used by the officers to aid civilians during The Blitz and other bombings throughout the war.
18. Lin Wang the elephant
This big guy was captured by Chinese troops from a Japanese encampment at the start of World War II and helped transport supplies. He went on to become the most popular animal at the Taipei Zoo, where he lived to be 86 years old.
19. Appollo the dog
Though not a member of the military, he was the first of NYPD”s search and rescue dogs on the scene at the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, arriving 15 minutes after the building collapsed. When he was almost struck by fatal flames and debris, his already soaked coat protected him, and he got right back to work after his handler dusted him off.
20. Rip the dog
Found in London after an air raid at the beginning of World War II, Rip became the British Army”s first search and rescue dog and helped save the lives of over 100 humans.
21. Judy the dog
Judy sailed with the crew of the HMS Gnat and followed a portion who transferred to HMS Grasshopper, using her superior hearing to warn them of any incoming aircrafts during World War II.
22. Commando the pigeon
While serving in the National Pigeon Service in World War II, Commando became the most prolific message carrier by delivering over 90 highly crucial intelligence messages back and forth between German-occupied France.
(via Imperial War Museums)
We salute each and every one of these combat cuties. They”ve more than earned it.
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