'03 Springfield Picture of the Day-Coast Guard K9

[CapnJohn]

The Marines maintained a training center at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina and the Coast Guard, requiring only sentry dogs, had three facilties on the east coast plus several on the west.

Althought the War Department authorized Dogs For Defense to be the only recruitment agency for the army, for a short time the Navy and the Marines procured some of their own dogs directly from private citizens and groups, as did the United States Coast Guard.

Eventually the Navy appointed the DFD as procurer, as did the Coast Guard and Marine Corp, the latter in conjunction with the Doberman Pinscher Club of America.

The Marines preferred the male Dobes because of its ability to work well in a tropical climate, but also used other breeds; and the Coast Guard, recruited mostly females German Shepherds, because of a previous arrangement it had with the Marine Corp.

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Rick the Librarian]

According to Burke Davis' biography of Marine Corps legend Lewis "Chesty" Puller, Puller, was involved in the war dog program for the Marines, to a certain extent. He recommended against getting any more Dobermans because in his opinion, they would sometimes turn on their handlers during combat. According to Puller, he got the official U.S. Doberman organization mad at him!

[Jim Tarleton]

I understand all the war dogs in RVN were euthenized prior to handlers leaving the country. I always hoped that wasn't true.

Our unit didn't use war dogs, but I understand those that did loved them for their abilitiy to save lives.

Jim

[duggaboy]

yes, my neighber, when I was a kid, had brought his sentry dog home from the army with him, to save him from destruction. A huge, very freindly German shephard, and what a tracker he was. I don't ever recall this dog barking or running away, and would kennel up onto the top of his dog house whenever his master would appear home from work. He was a wonderful companion for me when my neighbor and I would roam out in the woods and shoot his 22 ruger.

[Don W]

When a Doberman is mentioned, It revives wonderful memories of a great companion. One of the truly great animals of the earth.

DW

[CapnJohn]

Just got an email from my brother-in-law who had an Army dog company in 'Nam, the dogs were kept in country and used until no longer viable and then sent to the vet. They were used by a new handler (1 year tour) until that time.

[Emri]

About dog use in WWII is "Forever Faithfull". I forget the authors name. He is an Auburn graduate from the vet. school who was involved with the care of the dogs during the war in the Pacific. I highly recommend it.

FWIW,

Emri

[CTMC(ret)]

When I was 1st there in '71-'73 and again in '86-'89, visited the War Dog Cemetery several times (this was before it was moved to Naval Station Guam) - it was located very near Asan Beach, where the invasion of Guam was launched. It wasn't til years later I realized how unique a "War Dog Cemetery" is. Always well maintained (and I suppose it still is), it made one reflect on just how vicious the Guam campaign actually was. I still get a bad case of the "red-a$$" when I think of the Japs coming to Guam and building a "Peace Memorial" - symbolic hands clasped in prayer, pointing skyward....

Movies to see: "No Man Is An Island" - story of Radioman George Tweed, who, with the help of the Guamanians, eluded 20,000 Japanese for 31 months, served as a "coast watcher" and was vital in the invasion of Guam. Many Guamanians gave their lives to guard his location.

And, of course, "Chips, the War Dog".