March 13, 1942 is the official birthday of the United States K9 Corps, and so it seems only right to annually honor their service on that date. They served to save, and they deserve to be remembered.
Revered for centuries for their unwavering bravery and loyalty, dogs have served alongside the men and women of the Armed Forces for most of American history. They started off as mascots and companions, but the military eventually saw their value in service and began training them to help in combat and daily operations.
One dog was integral in that decision: Sergeant Stubby of the 102nd Infantry, Yankee Division. Although historians aren’t certain of his breed, many believe he may have been a mix between a bull terrier and a Boston terrier. Stubby made a successful transition from mascot to hero during World War I. He alerted his unit to a surprise mustard gas attack; he comforted the wounded on the battlefield; and he once captured a German soldier and held him captive by the seat of his pants until help could arrive.
For the complete article, please follow this link to the blog “Honoring Our Service Dogs” by Jake Butler.
