This week we will honor three heroes who share a connection
They are: Sergeant Stubby, Winkie, and Reckless
Part 1
Stubby was a stray bull terrier who served in the American Army during World War I. He was found and adopted in Connecticut by soldiers of the 77th Infantry Division. He was named Stubby for his stature and his tail. He was smuggled aboard a troop ship and taken to France by a soldier named Robert Conroy. Upon arrival in France, Stubby found himself doing what no dog had ever done for the US Army in history.
Stubby served with the 77th Infantry during the final year of World War I. He participated in at least 17 battles and four major offensives. One of his most memorable achievements was when he captured a German spy who was photographing American defenses while disguised as a civilian. When the spy attempted to flee, Stubby chased him down before grabbing him by the seat of his pants and holding him until American soldiers arrived on the scene and took the spy into custody. Stubby also became very useful in warning soldiers against mustard gas attacks and locating wounded soldiers. Using his sense of smell, Stubby could sense when mustard gas had been fired by the Germans long before it came into contact with the American trenches.
One day, Stubby ran up a trench barking wildly, the American company heard his warning and quickly donned their gas masks. As a direct result, the entire company was saved. Stubby himself was wounded several times by gas and shrapnel. However, he survived the war and received a promotion to Sergeant (the first and only dog to receive a rank). After the war, Stubby became a national celebrity and was adopted by Robert Conroy. In 1921, he became the team mascot for the Georgetown Hoyas. He passed away in his sleep on March 16, 1926.
Part II
Winkie was a female pigeon who served in the British Army during World War II. Her job was to deliver messages from locations that could not be accessed by phone lines. During the war, pigeons were frequently used by the RAF in order to rescue downed airman who were in need of rescue. Winkie's navigation skills would be put to the ultimate test on February 23, 1942.
On that day, Winkie was aboard an RAF bomber (Bristol Beaufort). Her number was, NEHU 40 NSL. The bomber was severely damaged by anti-aircraft fire and the crew was forced to ditch in the North Atlantic. The crew all managed to survive the ditching, but found themselves stranded more than 100 miles off the coast of Scotland. As the crew crowded into inflatable rafts they set Winkie free with the hope that she could alert rescuers to their predicament. Despite being covered in oil and facing a more than 120 mile flight, Winkie made it back to headquarters. Although she was not carrying a message, the RAF was able to calculate the position of the downed aircraft by using the time difference between the downed plane's ditching and the arrival of the bird. They also took into account the wind direction and the amount of oil on Winkie's feathers.
Thanks to Winkie's navigation skills and fast flying, the RAF were able to locate the stranded crew of the bomber within just 15 minutes of her arrival at the base. She received the Dickin Medal for her heroism in saving the crew of the bomber.
Part III
Sergeant Reckless was a thoroughbred mixed breed horse that served in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War. She was foaled in the year 1948, and was purchased by the 1st Marine Division in October of 1952. From there she began a distinguished career. In one battle, it was she who made the difference between life and death for many marines.
On March 26, 1953, Sergeant Reckless was serving with a Marine Recoilless Rifle platoon at a place called, "Outpost Vegas". In the early morning, they came under heavy attack. Over the next five days, Sergeant Reckless served as an ammunition carrier for the marines. She made more than 51 trips between their positions while carrying ammunition and medical supplies. In all, she is believed to have carried more than 4,000 kilograms (not all at the same time) for more than 35 miles through mountainous terrain and rice paddies. She even carried several severely wounded marines to field hospitals (despite being severely wounded herself at least twice). Incredibly, she did this all by herself without any official guidance from any person.
Throughout the Korean War, Sergeant Reckless participated in more than a dozen combat operations. For her heroic service, she received two purple hearts, the Dickin Medal, and the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal. She was given a heroes welcome upon her return to the United States. She also received an official promotion to Staff Sergeant. She lived in peaceful retirement until her death on May 13, 1968. She was buried with full military honors.
Epilogue
Although it is true that most war is fought by people. Many of us forget how much service and sacrifice is provided by animals. In many battles and military operations they have made the difference between life and death for people. The actions of Winkie, Stubby, and Sergeant Reckless are proof of this. I believe that they should always be remembered.
https://www.historyextra.com/period/first-world-war/sergeant-stubby-richard-lanni-film-animated-war-dog-american-history/
https://www.mca-marines.org/leatherneck/sgt-reckless-combat-veteran
http://amhistory.si.edu/militaryhistory/collection/object.asp?ID=15
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-17138990
https://www.cnn.com/2018/05/15/sport/sergeant-reckless-warhorse-spt/index.html
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