Yesterday I learned …

That there were some amazing animals that were heroes in World War I. Let me introduce you to three of them:

1. Rags, a mixed breed dog from France, became a war hero and saved many lives in World War I.

While in the trenches of World War I the U.S. First Infantry Division found themselves unable to communicate with nearby troops because shellfire had damaged their telephone wires. However, a young private came up with a unique solution. He and his buddies had adopted the dog, Rags, in Paris and they felt sure he could carry messages from one division to the next tucked into his collar. They were right and Rags became a war hero.  

After the war Rags came to the United States with that same young soldier and they lived in Maryland. When Rags died, at the old age of 20, he was buried with Military Honors. 

2. Sergeant Stubby, a mixed breed dog with a stubby tail started out as a stray who hung around a group of soldiers while they were training in New Haven, CT.  He eventually became the most famous canine hero of WWI. He served in 17 battles in France alongside his best friend Private J. Robert Conroy and the 102nd Infantry, 26th Yankee Division. The fearless pup performed a number of vital roles, including alerting troops to incoming gas attacks, catching German spies, locating missing soldiers in between the trenches and boosting morale.

At the war’s end, the brave dog received a medal from Gen. John J. Pershing, commander of the American forces in Europe, who saluted the dog’s “heroism of highest caliber” and “bravery under fire.” 

3. Cher Ami... This one came from my Granddaughter who wrote: “Let’s add some feathers to this mass of  fur"  Cher Ami was a messaging pigeon serving in the Argonne Forest with the 77th Infantry Division when the battalion of 550 soldiers she was with was completely cut off by German forces. After four days of heavy fighting, friendly artillery decided the battalion must have surrendered already and began firing on the 77th. 

Since the 77th just refused an offer to surrender and was very much still in the position, this was a  problem.  Maj. Charles Whittlesy ordered a message sent back to headquarters.  Cher Ami, despite a hole in her chest and a nearly amputated leg, got back into the air and delivered her message.  194 soldiers made it out alive thanks to her actions.