The use of animals in warfare is an ancient practice, yet few individual animals have achieved the renown or impact of Sergeant Stubby, a stray Boston terrier who accompanied the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) during World War I. Sergeant Stubby exemplifies the pivotal and diverse roles that animals, particularly dogs, played in the conflict, serving not only as mascots and companions but as contributors to military operations. This article details Sergeant Stubby’s biography, his involvement with the 102nd Infantry of the 26th Division, and highlights the broader significance of animals in the First World War, with reference to Ann Bausum’s comprehensive study, Sergeant Stubby: How a Stray Dog and His Best Friend Helped Win World War I and Stole the Heart of a Nation.

RIGHT: Sergeant Stubby in 1920. Photograph in the Public Domain.

Sergeant Stubby’s story began in July 1917 on the grounds of Yale University, where members of the 102nd Infantry were training prior to deployment. A stray Boston terrier-mutt, estimated to be one to two years old, wandered onto the parade grounds and quickly formed an attachment to Corporal James Robert Conroy. The dog’s loyalty and intelligence cemented his place among the soldiers, who named him “Stubby” after his distinctively bobbed tail.

Conroy, determined to keep Stubby with him, smuggled the dog aboard the transport ship departing from Newport News, Virginia. By the time the unit arrived in France, Stubby was not only a fixture among the men but had also been equipped with his own identification tags, inscribed “STUBBY, 102nd INF, 26th DIV” (Bausum, 2014, pp. 24, 48). Conroy personally trained Stubby in several tricks, most notably teaching him to “salute” by raising his paw to his head.

On February 5, 1918, Conroy and Stubby joined the front lines at the Chemin des Dames sector in France. Their baptism by fire came swiftly; both survived a gas attack, with Stubby developing a sensitivity to incoming gas and subsequently alerting his unit to future threats. According to Bausum, this early exposure not only demonstrated the adaptability and utility of canine companions in the trenches but also contributed to Conroy and Stubby’s emerging reputations as valued members of the Yankee Division.

Stubby’s front-line duties quickly evolved. During an artillery barrage on April 20, 1918, Stubby was wounded by shrapnel and required six weeks of recovery. Upon returning to action, he resumed his roles which included morale boosting, sentry duties, and providing early warning for gas attacks and incoming shells (Bausum, 2014). His presence boosted unit morale during the Marne Campaign and the eventual liberation of Chateau-Thierry in the summer of 1918. The women of Chateau-Thierry crafted a uniform jacket for him; photographs of Stubby in this distinctive garment became emblematic of his service.

The most widely cited moment in Sergeant Stubby’s career occurred during a diversionary operation in the Meuse-Argonne Campaign of September 1918. Stubby reportedly apprehended a German infiltrator by biting and holding onto the intruder's trousers long enough for American soldiers to complete the capture (Bausum, 2014). For this act of bravery, Stubby earned praise from his unit and was informally promoted to the rank of “sergeant,” the only dog in U.S. military history known to have achieved such a distinction by combat action.

LEFT: AEF Commander General John Pershing awards Sergeant Stubby with a medal from the Humane Education Society at a White House ceremony, 1921. Photograph in the Public Domain.

Video 1: The Amazing Story of Sgt. Stubby  |  Video 2: Stubby: World War One Hero

Both Stubby and Conroy suffered from another gas attack later in 1918 but recovered prior to the signing of the armistice on November 11, 1918.

Following the cessation of hostilities, Sergeant Stubby continued to symbolize the bond between soldiers and their canine companions. On Christmas Day 1918, he “shook hands” (or paws) with President Woodrow Wilson during Wilson’s visit to the Yankee Division at Montigny-le-Roi, France (Bausum, 2014, p. 217). After returning to the United States, Stubby and Conroy participated in numerous celebrations and parades, further solidifying Stubby’s status as a national icon.

Sergeant Stubby died on March 16, 1926, in Conroy’s arms. His remains were preserved, and his story continues to serve as a testament to the important and varied roles that animals played in the Great War.

The story of Sergeant Stubby is emblematic of the extensive and critical use of animals during World War I. Dogs served as sentries, messengers, scouts, and companions; horses, mules, and donkeys provided logistical support; and pigeons relayed messages across contested terrain. The presence of animals often improved morale, provided comfort to soldiers, and contributed materially to operational effectiveness (Bausum, 2014).

Stubby’s biography, when situated within the broader context of military history, underscores significant themes in the evolution of animal roles in warfare, including the development of military working dog programs and the enduring cultural memory of animal service.

Ann Bausum’s 2014 volume provides thorough documentation of Stubby’s life and contributions, relying on primary accounts, military records, and post-war testimonials. While the narrative contains elements of popular hagiography, it has been substantiated by contemporary records and period photographs.

Scholarly research on animals in warfare has increasingly highlighted both their tactical significance and the emotional connections between humans and animals in combat environments. Stubby’s story, while extraordinary, reflects broader patterns of integration and appreciation of animal capabilities in military contexts, as documented in secondary analyses of the American Expeditionary Forces and the broader Allied war effort.

References

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