Snubby, the war dog of the Great War

In July 1917, Sergeant Stubby was found wandering around Yale University where members of the 102nd Infantry were training. He developed a close relationship with Corporal James Robert Conroy and when it came time to ship off to France, Conroy smuggled Stubby on by sneaking him in his overcoat. While far out at sea, Stubby was brought out and won the hearts of the 26th Yankee Division. He kept morale positive and was allowed to stay at camp, even though animals were forbidden. Stubby was taught how to military salute, as seen at his memorial.

Stubby soon became the official mascot for the 102nd and joined the front lines. During his first year, Stubby’s first injury occurred from mustard gas exposure, recovering in a field hospital. After this exposure, Stubby could detect the smallest amounts of poisonous gas. He returned with a specially designed gas mask to protect him and would locate wounded soldiers in no man’s land.

One early morning, the Division was attacked with mustard gas and Stubby ran through the trenches barking and biting the soldiers, signaling to sound the gas alarms, saving many soldiers from injury.

In April 1918, Stubby was wounded in the foreleg from the shrapnel of an exploded grenade. He was rushed to a field hospital where he would visit wounded soldiers while he recovered.

Later in the war, Stubby’s talent for finding injured soldiers improved! He would listen for shouts for help, locate the injured, and bark until paramedics arrived or would lead them back to the trenches. Stubby even discovered a German spy near Allied trenches and bit him on the leg, keeping him down until US soldiers arrived. After this heroic feat, Stubby was nominated to the rank of sergeant.

Stubby served in 17 battles in World War I. He met presidents, was awarded many medals for heroism, and was adopted by James Conroy to live a happy retired life. He was the most decorated dog of the Great War and the only one to be promoted to sergeant.