The Nation's Health

Sergeant Stubby

Sergeant Stubby

The pit bull terrier on nickname Stubby has received a rank of the sergeant and the commander of army of the USA, in 1921 has been awarded by many medals for heroism, including medal Humane Society which was personally handed over by general John Pershing.

Private soldier John Robert Conroy has picked up a puppy of unknown breed on a campus of Jelsky university in 1917, during preparation for expansion of armies in Europe of the First World War. The dog has received a nickname for the brown colouring and the chopped off short tail «stubbed».

During stay in camp Stubby it was assiduously trained. After preparation recruit Conroy could not leave the favourite and has furtively taken a dog in lorries, a train and the ship to Europe. On February, 5th, 1918 Stubby has got on First World War front.

Thanks to natural scent Stubby warned sleeping soldiers about the beginning of gas attacks. During fight the dog found wounded men and bark called to the aid. The dog got to hospital (wound by a splinter of a grenade and a poisoning with poisonous gas) twice.

After amendment Stubby came back to a front line. Once even has caught the German spy, the four-footed fighter has seized for feet of the spy, thereby not having allowed that to escape. After war end, Stubby participated even in 17 military fights.

Stubby has twice visited the White House, has met presidents Harding and Coolidge. After death the heroic dog became a talisman of Georgetown Hoyas. To read still about Stubby.