Sergeant Stubby: A Military Dog’s Tale

Dogs have been our companions for thousands of years now. Our four-legged friends have closely bonded with us as pets and family members. We have heard multiple stories of dogs’ affection and loyalty.

No doubt Dogs are our best friends perhaps the only animal on this planet who loves you more than themselves. I also have two dogs in my house and I’ve shared their story about how I found them in my blog post – ‘Unconditional love of a street dog’.

My perception of dogs was only up to my home that they care for my family when I was outside and they gave me a great welcome when I returned back to home. Recently, my respect for the most loving creature became more when I came to know about the story of Sergeant Stubby.

I know you are also stunned by the name of Sergeant Stubby, why we are calling him a sergeant? The same question was raised in my mind too, and I did a little bit of research and found an incredible story behind it.

And I’m sure you’ll fall in love with him when you hear his story.

We have seen that dogs are our good partners for morning walks as well as good companions in our bad times. Also, you might have seen dogs working at security points to find a suspect because of their immense smell-sensitive receptors.

But have you ever heard about a dog fighting in a war? Yes! you read it right I am going to talk about a warrior in the US army who had served from 1917-1928 for 18 months and participated in 17 battles on the western front during World War I.

Sergeant Stubby’s Early Life

Stubby was a street dog before he joined the US Army. His life was the same as other street dogs. The morning starts with finding food in the garbage and hoping somebody will provide him a meal. As with any other street dog, his life was full of struggle too.

But Stubby was a very intelligent dog, his smell sensitivity was exceptional which made him different from other dogs.

One regular morning in the bust streets Stubby saw a couple of soldiers going down the road and everyone was appreciating them.

He sat there quietly and watched them as suddenly one cookie came rolling toward him. Soldier Corporal Robert Conroy was the man who offered him the cookie. He ate the cookie and started following the soldier’s march.

Stubby went to the Yale University ground where the soldier’s training was going on. He successfully managed to enter the ground and followed the smell coming from the pantry. Stubby went into the kitchen but the chef threw him out of the kitchen.

He ran to the ground and coincidentally met with Robert again. Robert was happy to see him but he was worried about being caught up by his senior.

However, after looking at the energy and smartness of Stubby, senior officers allow Robert to keep him. From that day stubby’s life changed completely as he joined the training of soldiers.

Sgt. Stubby the Military Dog

Soldiers’ life is very tough as they have to complete hard training to become great warriors. But Stubby was the kind of dog who loves challenges. He did tough training along with other soldiers and proved to seniors many a time that he could be a part of the team.

That was the time of World War and Germany was about to attack France, the United States decided to join the French army to fight with the Germans.

Everyone was preparing for the war but Robert and Stubby were sad because Robert couldn’t take him to the war as he was not permitted to do so. So, he decided to leave him in the military camp till he returned.

Sgt Stubby was sad after seeing Robert leaving him alone. But Stubby successfully managed to escape from there and he boarded the ship. He reached out to Robert on the ship but the General caught them. Stubby salutes the general along with Robert and his friend, seeing this General is impressed by Stubby and allowed Robert to take him on the board.

Sgt Stubby didn’t look back after he got the opportunity to prove himself valuable. He took part in the war and started helping Robert and the US Army. He served with the 102nd Infantry Regiment in the trenches in France for 18 months and participated in four offensive and 17 battles.

There was this incident when Robert was in a search operation along with his friends when a German put a gun at him. War dog Stubby immediately runs toward Robert to make him fall and miss the bullet.

Stubby ones got wounded in the foreleg by hand grenades. He was away from the field for a couple of months but after successfully recovering he returned and joined the trenches. Stubby was injured in various attacks but his passion to serve a nation made him a great soldier.

He even caught a German spy in the Argonne and didn’t let him go until US soldiers came.

Dogs of War: Sgt. Stubby

Stubby had proved his bravery & intelligence many times. From finding wounded soldiers on a battlefield to capturing a spy he contributed to his team. After seeing his bravery unit commander nominated Stubby for the rank of sergeant. Also, the women of the town gifted Sgt. Stubby a chamois coat upon which his many medals were pinned.

He was awarded many medals for his heroism including a medal from the humane society, presented by General John Pershing, the commanding General of the USA.

Stubby has also been called the most decorated dog of WWI. After returning from the war he met President Woodrow Wilson. The US government even made a bronze statue of him at Veterans Memorial Park in Middle Town, Connecticut in May 2018.

An animated film ‘Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero’ was based on the life and bravery of Stubby.

Stubby took his final breath in 1926 but remained immortal in people’s hearts.

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