Throughout his primary treatment, Stubby was alongside his master and no more than a whisker’s width away from him at all times. The aftercare was very protracted but that was not a problem as long as man and dog remained together. Lying with Conroy gave Stubby an opportunity to comfort other soldiers being brought in for treatment. Stubby would see them arrive on stretchers and then move in alongside them so he could lick their face, arms, hands, his big, rough tongue giving sign of affection and care. Stubby’s lick was often a reviving sensation and the one fond thing patients remembered when they woke.
Of course, Conroy received five-star treatment from Stubby during the time they were stretchered off the field and the weeks they were in the medical centre. But when it was decided the private should be moved to the American Hospital in Paris there was a doubt whether Stubby would be allowed to go too. It was one thing for field hospitals to accept mascot dogs but quite a different one for those hospitals located away from the front. Fortunately, the doctor in charge of Conroy’s case recognized the value of keeping this man and this dog together and pleaded the case with everyone he needed to. And Stubby, while licking his master’s hand, knew exactly what he had to do to cajole the medics into allowing him to travel with his master: just be his normal adoring self. And it worked. The soldier and his faithful Bull Terrier were bound for Paris in an ambulance that rocked and shook but still managed to get dog and patient where they needed to be and in a bed for the night.
Stubby had acquired a kind of celebrity status since the moment he joined the Army and went to war. The way Conroy and his fellow soldiers treated the dog with care and respect made onlookers aware that this dog was highly thought of – anyone thinking otherwise would be given short shrift by the soldiers. This dog was special and everyone seemed to see that. Certainly the people of Chateau Thierry were very grateful to the men of the 102nd Infantry, 26th ‘Yankee’ Division for liberating their beautiful town from the occupying Germans. And as a thank you to the division, the very talented women of the town worked on a special chamois leather coat for Stubby to wear in the cold weather. But the coat was not entirely practical: all over the back and sides the women had sewn or attached the dog’s campaign medals, including the Chateau Thierry Campaign Medal, the French Medal of Verdun, St Mihiel Campaign Medal and the Republic of France Grande War Medal. After the war, many other decorations were added to the collection including the Wound Stripe which was replaced with the Purple Heart (America’s highest honour for bravery in conflict). But there were two other decorations that were linked by one of Stubby’s bravest deeds: the apprehension of a German spy in the US trenches.
It was early morning and the men were woken by a dog barking and howling. Conroy knew that it was his dog making all the commotion. He quickly gathered his rifle and ammunition, as he didn’t know what he was going to find, and made his way out of the dugout. There, lying on his face, on the top of the trench, was a German infantryman. His face was turned to the side and he looked ghastly. He must have been terrified out of his wits – he not only had a Bull Terrier standing on his back but Stubby also had a cheek of the man’s backside in his jaw. And there was no way on earth he was going to let go! Well, not until the men had gathered themselves together to take control of the prisoner. For this action, Stubby was awarded his three sergeant’s stripes for bravery. Much to the delight of his friends and fans worldwide he now outranked his master. In gaining his stripes, Stubby also became the first American dog to take an army rank. The men also thought that the German Iron Cross that he had dangling at the back of the coat was taken from his German prisoner; it seemed the kind of thing that could have happened. But no one knows for sure. And when the medal disappeared off the coat one day it put any worthwhile speculation to bed. But someone, somewhere thought the dog deserved this poetic justice.
After the ladies presented Stubby with his unique coat in the little town of Domrémy (the birthplace of Joan of Arc), the accolades came thick and fast for Stubby. There was hardly any room on the chamois leather coat to take any more. But the dog had fought in seventeen battles in four campaigns and that was quite a feat in itself. The greatest feat was that he survived at all. After completing their hospital visiting duties, it was time for the soldier and the dog to prepare to go home to America.
Although Stubby was well known for his heroic, life-saving deeds Conroy was reluctant to take any chances on the return journey. And so Stubby was smuggled aboard the troop ship the same way he arrived – under the cover of his master’s now very torn and weather-beaten greatcoat. It’s probable that several officers on duty when the ship docked and when the transfers were made from ship to shore turned a blind eye to the scruffy-looking dog who, like the men, was careworn, battle fatigued and in need of home comforts. No other soldier was going to deny this brave dog his passage home. No one could have that on their conscience.
The end of the war was really just the start of a new life for Stubby. He was destined to be the most decorated dog in America and, no doubt, the world. A well-wisher had added his sergeant’s stripes to the now famous coat. They had been sewn right alongside his ‘Yankee’ Division patch, which was probably the most treasured decoration of all. But the Americans had a greater accolade for this war dog, this champion who raised men’s morale in the depths of despair and human destruction. Presented to General ‘Black Jack’ Pershing – Supreme Commander of the American Forces during the war – Stubby was on his best behaviour. The world’s press was looking for the photograph that would capture the heroic spirit of the First World War: the general and the war dog and Stubby didn’t disappoint them. Sitting on a table to elevate him to a position where Pershing could decorate the dog for all to see, Stubby sat still and proud on his haunches as the medal was attached to his collar. He seemed to smile throughout the entire ceremony as if being at the centre of attention was his favourite place in the world. The medal was specially commissioned by the Humane Education Society (the forerunner of today’s Humane Society) and was made of gold bearing a simple inscription: ‘Stubby’.
In his capacity as returned war hero, Stubby met three US Presidents: Wilson, Harding and Coolidge, who all treated the dog with the same respect the soldiers showed, especially when he saluted them in his own special way. The dog had become as much a soldier as he was still a dog but there were certain canine things he could never be denied. The YMCA gave him lifetime membership plus three bones a day and a place to sleep for the rest of his life. He continued to help his old friends, the American Red Cross with recruiting campaigns and sales of Victory Bonds. As a lifetime member of the American Legion, he marched in every legion parade and attended every convention from the end of the war until his death.
Stubby was never going to need the three bones a day from the YMCA because he was heading home with his master, Private James Robert Conroy. When Conroy decided to study law at Georgetown University, Stubby went along too and in no time was mascot of the football team. He devised his own half-time show, nudging the ball along with his nose and having great fun along the way!
This great American hero passed away in 1926 and the New York Times published an obituary that was three columns wide by half a page long. Not many human notables managed to command so many column inches, especially in death.
A nation had taken this brave little battler to their hearts and didn’t really want to let him go. Monuments and statues were erected in his honour. The famous painting of the war dog by Charles Ayer Whipple still hangs in the regimental museum in New Haven. Most poignant of all perhaps, for those who, like his devoted master, wanted him to have a continuing presence for all to share, the remains of Stubby are on display at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C. Museum. His coat is perfectly preserved.
Maybe Stubby’s story says everything about a generation of young men sent to war to face the enemy knowing that millions of their counterparts had fallen before them. He was brave as they wanted to be brave. He protected his division
as many others protected their own in battle. The Hotel Majestic lifted their ban on dogs for just one day. And that day was Stubby’s. Stubby was a hero, he was an inspiration but most of all, he was a dog.
Afterword
‘Nothing great is easy.’ Captain Matthew Webb was said to utter these words in 1875 after becoming the first person to swim the English Channel. If dogs could talk I’m sure those who have accompanied Servicemen and women into war would echo his sentiments. The focus and dedication any person or animal requires to survive adversity in any quantity can sometimes defy belief. Survival is often the prize for those prepared to go beyond the call of duty.
The partnership of Czech airman Václav Robert Bozděch and Antis, the Alsatian puppy he rescued from the ruins of a French farmhouse, extended beyond the conflict of WWII. Trapped by political intrigue in post-war Czechoslovakia, Bozděch was forced to flee his homeland to safeguard his family. He could take only one thing with him – the dog he had saved and who had flown at his feet in a Wellington bomber. Antis remained his only link with his old and new life and his friend and protector until death.
A dog can be one of the most entertaining distractions from the grim reality of war. And the chances of meeting such a loving and faithful companion when surrounded by fear and devastation must carry odds of millions to one. But luck was definitely on the side of a tiny Yorkshire terrier who somehow found herself in the centre of the war in the Pacific and then, miraculously, in the hands of US soldier, Bill Wynne. Smoky’s story could have been cut brutally short. But instead, thanks to her saviour, it was one of luck, survival, protection, heroism and lifelong devotion.
Not every dog is cut out for active service and most, like Tangye, fall into it because they like being close to soldiers. From the dog’s perspective, the relationship could be based on the quality of the rations and the fuss and attention handed out. From the soldiers’ side it’s because so many cannot bear to see a helpless creature become a victim of cruel circumstances or culture. And so it was that Tangye, a native Afghan pup, was rescued by British soldiers and taken to their hearts – and then taken home to the UK. His fearlessness in battle was rewarded with freedom. In another part of Afghanistan, Arms and Explosives search dog Treo was doing his part by locating deadly IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices) and saving hundreds of military and civilian lives.
War has always been fought between nations, and dogs have always been included in the ranks. As companion or protector, Service ‘equipment’ or mascot, the dog will always give more of itself that first meets the eye. A dog will always give you more than any person could promise in courage, loyalty and love. A dog will always give greatly and go beyond the call of duty.
Bibliography
Farthing, Pen. One Dog at a Time, Ebury Press, 2009 Le Chêne, Evelyn. Silent Heroes, Souvenir Press, 1994 Richardson, Anthony. One Man and His Dog, Harrap, 1960
Ross, Hamish. Freedom in the Air, Pen and Sword, 2007 St Hill Bourne, Dorothy. They Also Serve, Winchester Publications, 1957
Wynne, William A. Yorkie Doodle Dandy – A Memoir, Wynnesome Press, 1996
About the Author
ISABEL GEORGE was born in Shropshire, where her family encouraged her early passion for animals and history. A degree in English and History opened a door to the public relations department of veterinary charity PDSA.
Isabel’s interest in animals giving loyal service to the Armed Forces began with her father sharing stories of the Royal Navy mascots he met in his twenty-five years in the Senior Service. Not all of the stories had a happy ending, but all told of the unique bond that exists between service men and women and their animal companions in times of peace and conflict.
Isabel now lives in Shropshire with her three children, two hamsters and an almost-human Jack Russell, fox terrier cross called Scrumptious.
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Copyright
First published by HarperElement 2010
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© Isabel George 2012. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins e-books.
Isabel George asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work
A catalogue record of this book is available from the British Library
ISBN 978-0-00-737151-8
EPub Edition © 2012 ISBN: 9780007478880
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