Stubby
(1916 or 1917 – April 4, 1926)
a brick in the Walk of Honor at the United States World War I monument,
Liberty Memorial, in Kansas City
Sergeant Stubby was a stray Pit Bull/Terrier mix,that became the most decorated
war dog of World War I and the only dog to be promoted to sergeant through
combat. He served 18 months ‘over there’ and participated in seventeen battles
on the Western Front. He saved his regiment from surprise mustard gas attacks,
found and comforted the wounded, and even once caught a German spy by the
seat of his pants, holding him there until American Soldiers found him. Back home
his exploits were front page news on most major newspapers.
Stubby was wounded in the foreleg by the retreating Germans throwing hand
grenades. He was sent to the rear for convalescence, and as he had done on
the front was able to improve morale. When he recovered from his wounds,
Stubby returned to the trenches.
Upon returning home, Stubby became a celebrity and marched in,
and normally led, many parades across the country. He met with
Presidents Woodrow Wilson, Calvin Coolidge, and Warren G.
Harding.
