Harding.Īfter the war, Conroy brought Stubby with him to Georgetown University Law Center, where the brave pooch later became the Hoyas' team mascot. presidents Woodrow Wilson, Calvin Coolidge, and Warren G. Stubby came home from the war to a hero's welcome, he marched in parades and was made a lifetime member of the American Legion and YMCA. John Pershing, commanding general of the U. He was also awarded a Gold Hero Dog Medal from the Humane Society, which was presented by Gen. He was taken to a Red Cross field hospital where he was nursed back to health.īy the end of the war, the stray dog from Connecticut was awarded many medals for heroism and bravery. Stubby was wounded by a grenade, taking shrapnel to his chest and legs. For this action, the 102nd commander promoted Stubby to the rank of sergeant. Stubby recognized the intruder and bit and held him until friendly forces arrived. Stubby earned a promotion by capturing a German spy who was mapping the layout of allied trenches. If the men could not move, Stubby stayed with them and barked until helped arrived. He would listen for English cries of help, run to their source and lead the wounded back to safety. The dog was also credited with locating wounded American soldiers between the trenches of opposing armies. He ran through trenches barking and biting soldiers until they donned their gas masks. Stubby used this skill to warn the 102nd during an early morning gas attack when most of the troops were sleeping. He also developed a keen sense for gas after surviving a gas attack. The dog was given special orders to stay with the unit as its official mascot.ĭuring his 18-month tenure with the 102nd Infantry, Stubby became accustomed to the sound of rifles and artillery. The 102nd Infantry reached the French front lines in February 1918. He was won over by the dog's ability to salute and allowed Stubby to stay with the unit. Once in France, Conroy's commanding officer discovered Stubby. When Conroy's unit was sent to France, he smuggled Stubby aboard the ship. His antics had a very positive effect on morale, and he was even allowed to stay at the camp, although animals were forbidden. Stubby even performed a modified salute where he put his right paw over his eyebrow. While under the care of Conroy, the pup learned bugle calls and how to drill in formation. Robert Conroy, who named stubby after his short tail.Ĭonroy was at Yale training with the 102nd Infantry, 26th "Yankee" Division to deploy to Europe to fight in WWI. The puppy found his way to the care of Pvt. Stubby started in the fields of Yale University in 1917. But, Stubby wasn't a military working dog. Stubby became the most decorated war dog in WWI and the first dog to be given a rank by the U.S. He served in 17 battles and fought in four major allied offensives with Beale's 1st Reconnaissance Squadron, 12th RS and 99th RS, which provided air support. These heroes came from all walks of life one such hero happened to walk on all fours. During World War I, tales of sacrifice and heroism emerged from battlefield. The score by Patrick Doyle ( Rise of the Planet of the Apes) also hits the right emotional notes in the right places, especially during a closing sequence where the legend of Stubby finally becomes fact.BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. Animation, which was handled by Technicolor and Mikros Animation in Canada, convincingly pushes the realism factor, with the battle scenes and European backdrops extremely well-rendered. Indeed, Stubby hardly shies away from the tough realities of what was known as the War to End All Wars, and it feels both proficiently documented and generally credible, even if it’s hard to believe that a dog did everything you see happening on screen.
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