War Dogs, K-9 & other military critters

[Bluehawk]

U. S. War Dog History

A Brief History: Vietnam.

Military Working Dogs have been used by the U.S. Military since WW I.

The dogs were originally enlisted by the Quartermaster Corps, and a
diversity of breeds where accepted

Once knowledge and experience was gained the dogs of choice became the German Shepherd Dog and the Doberman. Due to the nature of work to be accomplished the Labrador eventually replaced the Doberman.

The German Shepherd remained the most frequently used dog. These dogs are
commonly referred to as War Dogs; however, the correct term is Military

Working Dogs. They have saved countless lives and casualties since the
beginning of their Military Service and they continue to do so today.

Dogs of Vietnam/Brief History:

There is a confirmed list of 3,747 dogs that were used in Vietnam
identified by Dr. Howard Hayes, Veterinarian (RET) of the National
Institute of Health as of March 1994, by "brand number" (a tattoo usually placed
in the left ear of the dog). However, it is estimated that approximately
4,900 dogs where used during the course of the war between 1964 and 1975.
Records of the dogs in Vietnam where not maintained by the military prior to
1968, thus the discrepancy.



How Many Dogs Returned Home?

Only 204 dogs exited Vietnam during the 10-year period. Some
remained in the Pacific, and some returned to the United States. None returned to
civilian life. So what happened to the dogs that remained? Most where
euthanized and the others where turned over to the ARVN (South Vietnamese
Army).

How Many Handlers Served in Vietnam and what Branch of Service?
All four branches of the military used dogs in Vietnam.
Approximately 10,000 handlers served. Vietnam was the largest concentrated effort of
the use of dogs and handlers in any Combat Era the United States has ever
undertaken. It is estimated that the dogs and handlers saved over 10,000 lives.



The following is a breakdown of handlers by Military Branch that
served in Vietnam. 65%Army 26%Air Force 7%Marine 2%Navy.

What Mission (duties) did the Dogs and Handlers Have in Vietnam?



Scout Dogs

A Scout Dog Team consisted of one German Shepherd and the handler.
Whenrequested the Scout Dog Team joined an infantry unit and served as
their"eyes and ears". The Scout Dog Team walked "point" (out front) for the
unit, looking for booby trap trip wires, ambushes, hidden caches of food or
weapons, snipers etc. When the dog alerted, the handler passed the
information to the patrol leader who then moved his troops forward.

Scout dogs and handlers where trained at Ft. Benning, Ga. Some Scout Dog
handlers were trained "In-Country" (OJT) or were originally trained as Tracker
handlers.)



Combat Tracker Teams (CTT:

The Tracker Team consisted of a Labrador Retriever (Sometimes
Shepherds) and handler, a cover man, a Visual Tracker and a Team Leader. Trackers
were called to duty when the unit wished to re-establish contact with the
enemy.
Tracker teams acted much like the old Indian Scouts (except for the
use of the dogs). They were called upon to "track" either visually or by
using a Labrador Retriever to follow ground (blood trails, body odor etc.) or
airborne scent in order to locate missing personnel, i.e., downed pilots,
wounded GI's, or the enemy. The Majority of Combat Trackers and
Tracker Dogs were trained in Malaysia at the British Jungle Warfare School (JWS) or
at Ft. Gordon, Ga. in the U.S.



Sentry Dog Teams:

Sentry Dog Teams were universal within every branch of the U.S.
Armed Forces in Vietnam to include the Air Force in Thailand; and were
normally an arm of Military Police Units (All Branches had police units-they just lcal
them different names). Sentry Dog Teams, "walked the wire" on the outskirts
of a location and their primary form of communication was via radio
after the dog alerted. Back up to the team was a tower or bunker guard, a
quick response team, or getting illumination (flares). Sentry Dog Teams (K9]
were comprised of one German Shepherd and one handler and generally worked at
night (about 99%). Their mission was to "Detect, Detain, and Destroy.


Sentry Dog Teams were the first line of defense on the perimeter of not only Bases in Vietnam but also ammo depots, supply areas, communications areas, > naval installations, camps, flight lines, and other sensitive areas.

The majority of Sentry Dog handlers and Sentry Dogs were trained at
Lackland Air Force Base, TX.


[All branches), however, some were trained in Showa(Tachikawa), Japan, and many handlers were trained "In-Country- (OJT)


Mine/Booby/Tunnel Dog Teams:

The Team was one German Shepherd and a handler in support of infantry
and combat engineer operations (Army and Marines). The mission was to
detect mines, booby-traps, trip wires, tunnel compiles and any other casualty
producing devices. They also assisted in searching villages or suspected
areas of enemy built up supplies, weapons and ammunition.

(Source: U.S. War Dog Association)

[Bluehawk]

Here is a little squib from 'Brave Men", by Ernie Pyle, 1944 during the battle for Anzio:

"The headquarters of a regiment I knew well had a beautiful police dog named 'Sergeant." He belonged to everybody, was a lovable dog, liked to go through a whole repertoire of tricks, and was almost human in his sensitiveness. He had even become plane-raid conscious, and when he heard planes in the sky he would run into his own private foxhole - or any foxhole, if he was away from home.
Sergeant was dutifully in his foxhole when he died. Shrapnel from an air burst got him. He wasn't killed instantly, and they had to end his suffering.
The outfit lost two officers, four men and a dog in that raid. It is not belittling the men who died to say that Sergeant's death shared a big place in the grief of those who were left."

[Hooch Turner]

Best read this little eye opener of an article. Yep those Russkies really were a nasty lot!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog_mine

[Bluehawk]

Originally Posted by Hooch Turner

Best read this little eye opener of an article. Yep those Russkies really were a nasty lot!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog_mine

Thanks Hooch... what an awful thing to do to faithful servants... which is why I re-started this thread... to recognize whatever we can about how critters serve the military.

Here's a partial quote from that article:

"Anti-tank dogs, also known as dog mines, are starving dogs with explosives harnessed to their back, trained to seek food under enemy tanks and armoured vehicles. By doing so, a small wooden lever would be tripped, detonating the explosives.

The dogs were employed by the Soviet Union during World War II, to be used against German tanks. The dogs would be starved, then trained to find food under a tank. The dogs quickly learned that being released from their pens meant to run out to where a tank was parked and find some victuals. Once trained, the dogs would be fitted with an explosive charge and set loose into a field of oncoming German tanks. When the dog went underneath the tank—where there was less armour—the charge would detonate and gut the enemy vehicle..."

[Bluehawk]

RAINBOW BRIDGE

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.

There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.

There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.

The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance.

His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers.

Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again.

The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

[Woodmonkey]

Nasty thing to do, Hooch.

I'm glad that you did re-start this thread, Sir Blue.