On the campus of Yale University in July 1917, a young (1-2 years old) Boston terrier wandered to the parade grounds where young Army members of the 102nd Infantry were training. The dog immediately became attached to Corporal James Robert Conroy and a (dog's) lifetime of love, friendship and comradeship began. Conroy hid the pup aboard ship departing from Newport News, Virginia, to France to fight in the First World War. Named "Sergeant Stubby" for his bobbed tail, the pup was taught by Corporal Conroy to salute--whereupon the canine companion would sit up on his hind legs, and pull his right paw up to his head. Sergeant Stubby even had his own dog tags which read "STUBBY, 102nd INF, 26th DIV." (Bausum 2014, 24)

Once Conroy brought Stubby aboard the ship departing from Newport News, Virginia, there was no turning back. The little dog quickly became an integral part of the 102nd Infantry, going beyond just being a companion to Conroy. He was officially inducted into the Army as a mascot and even had his own dog tags to prove it. Stubby quickly learned to adapt to the life of a soldier. He was taught to salute, and his skill in this area became popular among the soldiers. Stubby would sit up on his hind legs and lift his paw to his head, impressing everyone who saw him. The little dog even accompanied the soldiers to the front lines, where he experienced and survived his first gas attack.

On 5 February 1918, Conroy and Stubby reached the front lines in France at Chemin des Dames highway, where the duo experienced and survived their first gas attack. Stubby became seriously wounded from shrapnel on 20 April 1918, and spent the next six weeks recovering before rejoining Conroy and the rest of the Yankee Division.

During the summer of that year, Conroy and Stubby participated in the Marne Campaign and liberation of Chateau-Thierry. Women in the town made Sergeant Stubby his frst uniform jacket. The Yankee Division particpated in a diversionary operation during the Meuse-Argonne Campaign in September. It is during this operation That Sergeant Stubby captured a German infiltrator by biting him and holding onto his trousers, holding him long enough for (human) members of his Yankee Division. This action earned him a promotion to the rank of sergeant, making him the first dog to be given a rank in the U.S. Army.

But it was on the battlefield where Stubby truly shone. Serving in France with his division, Stubby was involved in over 17 engagements, including the Battle of Chateau-Thierry and the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. He quickly proved himself as an asset to his human comrades, using his keen sense of hearing to warn them of incoming artillery and gas attacks. He even learned to differentiate between the sounds of enemy and Allied shells.

Top photo: Circa 1918 and 1921: Sergeant Stubby wearing military uniform and decorations. Source: Wikipedia; in the Public Domain.

Bottom photo: General John J. Pershing awards Sergeant Stubby with a medal in 1921 as his owner, James Robert Conroy, wearing suit, stands behind them. Source: Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History. Wikipedia; in the Public Domain.

Video: The Amazing Story of Sgt. Stubby  |  Stubby: World War One Hero

But Stubby's skills didn't stop there. He also proved to be a capable messenger dog, delivering important messages between front lines and rear headquarters. For his bravery and dedication, Sergeant Stubby was awarded numerous medals and commendations, including a Purple Heart for injuries sustained in battle. He met several high-ranking military officials, including President Woodrow Wilson, and even had his own coat and ID tag made so he could travel on trains and ships with his division.

Stubby was a hero to all who knew him. Even President Woodrow Wilson couldn't resist him. During a visit to the Yankee Division at Montigny-le-Roi, France, on Christmas Day, the President shook hands (or rather paws) with Sergeant Stubby. On November 1918, Conroy and Stubby were both wounded in action by poison gas, but both recovered. The armistice was signed on 11 November 1918, thereby ending their time together at war. (Bausum 2014, 216-217)

Once the war was over, Conroy and Stubby returned home to the U.S. They took part in numerous post-war parades and celebrations, and Stubby quickly became a national hero. He passed away peacefully in Conroy's arms on 16 March 1926. Conroy immediately had his loyal friend's remains preserved. (Bausum 2014, 216-220) Today, Stubby's taxidermy mount can be seen in the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.

Bibliography

Bausum, Ann. Sergeant Stubby: How a Stray Dog and His Best Friend Helped Win World War I and Stole the Heart of a Nation. Washington D.C.: National Geographic, 2014.

Trouillard, Stephanie. "Sergeant Stubby: The Dog That Fought to Liberate France in WWI - World War I Centennial." The United Sates World War One Centennial Commission. Accessed January 29, 2024. https://www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/communicate/press-media/wwi-centennial-news/4393-sergeant-stubby-the-dog-that-fought-to-liberate-france-in-wwi.html.