Sergeant Stubby: The Stray Dog Who Became a World War One Hero
Sergeant Stubby is one of the most famous American dogs of World War One, and he started out as a stray. Found on the Yale campus in 1917, he went to France with the 102nd Infantry, served through seventeen battles and came home to a gold medal presented by General John Pershing.
Quick Facts
- Who: Stubby, a brindle bull terrier mix
- Unit: 102nd Infantry, 26th "Yankee" Division
- Found: Yale campus, New Haven, Connecticut, 1917
- Served: About 18 months on the Western Front, 17 battles
- Honored: A gold medal presented by General Pershing in 1921; preserved today at the Smithsonian
A Stray at Yale
In the summer of 1917, the 102nd Infantry was training on the Yale campus in New Haven. A small brindle dog with a short tail wandered into camp and stayed. Private Robert Conroy took him in and named him Stubby. When the regiment shipped out to France, Conroy smuggled him aboard the troopship, hidden under his coat. Stubby also learned to salute by raising his right paw.
What Did Sergeant Stubby Do in the War?
The regiment reached the front in February 1918. Stubby was gassed early on and survived, and after that he became sensitive to the smell. He would run along the trench barking to warn the men before they noticed the gas themselves. He also heard incoming shells before people could, and he found wounded soldiers lying out in no man's land. In April 1918, at Seicheprey, he was wounded by a grenade. He recovered and returned to his unit.
One famous story, reported at the time but hard to confirm, says Stubby held a German soldier by the seat of his pants until American troops arrived.
Why Was He Called Sergeant Stubby?
Stubby never held an official rank. The men of his unit called him Sergeant Stubby, and the name stuck. After the war he marched in parades, met three presidents and, in 1921, received a gold medal presented by General John Pershing. Conroy later studied at Georgetown University, and Stubby became the school's mascot.
Where Is Sergeant Stubby Now?
Stubby died in 1926. He is preserved at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History in Washington, DC, wearing the felt coat covered with his medals and badges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was Sergeant Stubby a real sergeant?
No. He never received an official rank. The soldiers of his unit called him Sergeant Stubby, and the nickname became famous.
What breed was Sergeant Stubby?
He was a stray, usually described as a bull terrier or Boston terrier mix, with a brindle coat and a white chest.
Where is Sergeant Stubby today?
He is preserved at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History in Washington, DC.
Related Stories
- Famous War Animals: 10 Animal War Heroes Who Saved Lives
- 8 Animals That Have Been Given Official Military Ranks
- Sergeant Reckless: The Marine Corps Horse Who Went to War
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Sources
- Wikipedia: Sergeant Stubby: his discovery, service, injuries and honors
- Smithsonian National Museum of American History: Stubby: the preserved dog and his coat
- Wikipedia: 26th Infantry Division: the Yankee Division in France
More true animal stories: From Paw to Tail Blog
Cover photo: Unknown photographer via Wikimedia Commons, public domain.