A Pet's View / July 2006
Honor for the Dogs of War
Military Working Dogs have been used by the U.S. military since WWI. A diversity of breeds have been accepted into service, but the dogs of choice became the German Shepherd and the Labrador. The German Shepherd remains the most frequently employed military dog. Since the beginning of their military service, dogs have saved countless lives and prevented innumerable casualties.
Although the National Institute of Health has confirmed 3,747 dogs employed in Vietnam, it is estimated that approximately 4,900 dogs where used during the course of the war but records of the dogs in Vietnam were just not maintained prior to 1968.
All four military branches used dogs in Vietnam, the largest concentrated effort of dogs and handlers in any U.S. combat era. Approximately 10,000 handlers served. Reports indicate that the dogs and their handlers saved over 10,000 lives.
In a tragic bureaucratic oversight, only 204 dogs left Vietnam during the 10-year period. Some remained in the Pacific, and some returned to the United States. None returned to civilian life. Most were euthanized and the others where turned over to the ARVN (South Vietnamese Army).
But the soldiers who served with canine partners have not forgotten them. On Saturday, June 10th at 11:00 AM, U.S. War Dogs Memorial was unveiled on the grounds of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Holmdel, New Jersey. The U.S. War Dogs Memorial was accomplished through the efforts of The United States War Dogs Association, a nonprofit organization of former and current Military Dog Handlers and supporting members.
The group is committed to establishing a permanent War Dog Memorial in Washington, DC and educating the public about the invaluable service of the service dogs. They have established a Traveling U.S. War Dog Exhibit, to share the history of U.S. Military War Dogs from all wars to the general public. In addition to raising the funds to establish a memorial, the group has petitioned for a K-9 Corp commemorative stamp design to honor Military working dogs. They also help find homes for retiring Military and Police canines.
An estimated 2,300 working dogs were serving within the U.S. Department of Defense in 2004. The dogs and handlers from every military service are deployed worldwide to support the war on terror, helping to safeguard military bases and activities and to detect bombs and other explosives.
The MWD teams are an integral part of the U.S. mission overseas, from guard duty and base security to crowd control, tracking, and explosive and narcotic detection. Most dogs are dual-purpose trained as police dogs first, then with a specialty skill like bomb detection.
In Iraq and Afghanistan, several hundred Military Working Dogs perform their duties in heat and sandstorms, just like other soldiers. Heat exhaustion is a major concern and handlers must provide frequent breaks and ample water to prevent it.
When canine handlers conduct extraction missions and area searches in Afghanistan, their highly trained dogs are often the main tool for finding weapons and people. To counteract the dangers in their line of duty, the dog’s ballistic vest equipment has been upgraded.
Sgt. 1st Class Erika Gordon, kennel master for the 25th MP Company, says. “Even though we only have a few vests at the moment, we’re working to get vests for every dog in Afghanistan. Dogs go in before their handler-these vests are their only means of protection.” The vests also carry the dogs’ gear, which includes heating or cooling packs. “ These dogs are a part of a team and need to be protected just as much as every member of every other team in country. The dogs are our partners.”
Jake, the only beagle in the U.S. Air Force K-9 Corps, spent six years sniffing for explosives with Security Forces at Lajes Field in the Azores. Due to retire in 2001, after the terrorist attacks of 9/11, the Air Force’s Stop-Loss program—designed to retain experienced people—kept him on the job, working 14 hour days on security patrol. He finally retired in October 2002 due to age, cataracts and hearing loss. Jake’s squadron gave him a retirement ceremony, and a certificate for his long service.
Heroes have many faces, and some have four feet. It’s right that they be remembered with gratitude and honored for their service.
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