by Dr. Marty Becker

Monday is Memorial Day in the U.S., a day to honor those who have their lives for our country and for freedom around the world. Among that number were many who never volunteered but still served: the dogs, birds, horses, and mules of war.

The “Real” War Horse, Sgt. Reckless

The Horses and Mules of War

Somewhere around one million American horses and mules served during World War I. The Horse Heroes website, operated by equine charity Brooke USA, writes:

These animals carried men into battle and wounded men to safety. They carried food, water, medical supplies, ammunition, gun carriages and other supplies to the front lines across difficult terrain, in brutal weather, often surrounded by dead and dying men and animals.

For these animals, the sights, sounds, and smells must have been as dreadful as they were for the men. They provided immeasurable support to the military, and only 200 came home after the war.

Reading those words breaks my heart. Honoring them is the very least we can do.

Kurt

Most people are aware of the incredible work done by military dogs, but may not know the story of Kurt, a Doberman who saved the lives of 250 Marines before becoming the first military dog to die on Guam during WWII.

In this moving post from the Shelter Medicine Program at the University of Florida, you can read both the history of dogs and their handlers and the inscription on the memorial at the War Dog Cemetery on Naval Base Guam honoring Kurt and other fallen canine heroes

25 Marine War Dogs gave their lives liberating Guam in 1944. They served as sentries, messengers, scouts. They explored caves, detected mines and booby traps. – SEMPER FIDELIS

Kurt, Yonnie, Koko, Bunkie, Skipper, Poncho, Tubby, Hobo Ni, Prince, Fritz, Emmy, Missy, Cappy, Duke, Max, Blitz, Arno, Silver, Brockie, Bursch, Pepper, Ludwig, Rickey, Tam (buried at sea off Asan Point).

Given in their memory and on behalf of the surviving men of the 2nd and 3rd marine war dogs platoons, many of whom owe their lives to the bravery and sacrifice of these gallant animals.

Cher Ami

We rarely remember the pigeons without whom early wartime military communications would have been impossible.

Cher Ami was a pigeon and a WWI war hero, saving the lives of 197 American soldiers trapped between our own forces and a German battalion who were being hammered by friendly and enemy fire that had killed more than 300 men.

Cher Ami was released with a message begging the US troops to stop the barrage. He was fired on by the Germans and hit three times, but survived and got his message through.