THE DOGS OF WAR

"Marine War Dogs gave their lives liberating Guam in 1944. They served as sentries, messengers, and scouts. They explored caves, detected mines and booby traps... Given in their memory and on behalf of the surviving men of the 2nd and 3rd Marine War Dog Platoons, many of whom owe their lives to the bravery and sacrifice of these gallant animals...."Always Faithful" was inspired "by the spirit of these heroic dogs who are the embodiment of love and devotion... the United Doberman Club ted to the courageous Doberman Pinschers that valiantly served during the War in the Pacific"

http://www.dru.org/wardog.htm

I became interested in learning about the history of Doberman Pinschers shortly after I got one. In looking I came across quite a bit of information in regards to how the Doberman Pinscher has been used to serve our country.

Originally Dobermans were bred to serve as a personal protection dog. Louis Dobermann of Germany was a tax collector who needed a dog that would protect him while making his rounds. The breed he created was named after him.

From James A. Kearns, Dobermans In World War II, "Its qualities soon became apparent to both the German police and military who, in WWII were estimated to have trained more than 200,000 war dogs.

The United States Marine Corps during WWII, also became interested in the Doberman Pinscher.

Camp LeJeune trained Seven Doberman War Dog Platoons. The 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th platoons were sent to the European theater where they served mostly as sentries. The others were sent to the Pacific where 1st Platoon saw incredible action on Bougainville, Guam, and Okinawa, and 2nd and third saw comparably hellish action on Guadalcanal, Kwajalein, Enewetak, and Guam. These Dobermans were credited for saving many American lives and are the official Marine Corps War Dog.

The 2nd and 3rd Marine Platoons on Guam used more War Dogs than all the other areas of combat in the Pacific. While during their duty on Guam 25 of our paw-fathers crossed the rainbow bridge in 1944. One Devil Dog named Kurt saved the lives of 250 soldiers when he alerted them to Japanese troops. Most of these dogs were buried in the Marine cemetery and marked by simple concrete graves that were each indented with the dog’s profile.

Most of the soldiers had never seen a Doberman before and were so impressed with it's sleek beauty and performance that they began to refer to them as the Devil Dogs. Later, on July 21, 1994, some of these soldiers dedicated the Always Faithful Doberman War Dog Memorial to the twenty-five Dobermans that died liberating Guam in 1944."

http://www.geocities.com/Athens/1878/wardog.html
Doberman named Judy in Guam with her two handlers

Soldier with injured Doberman

World War II Doberman War Dog with Sleeping Soldier

USMC Devil Dogs Doberman Pinschers Training 1943 Photo

Using Walkie-Talkie,Coast Guardsman with Dobie

Marine Dog Butch at Guam Grave of another Doberman - World War II Photo

Doberman Pinscher Scout IV Guadalcanal - World War II Photo

Doberman Pinscher Jack at Bougainville - World War II Photo

1945

Marine War Dogs at Guam - World War II Photo

Doberman Pinscher Andy at Bougainville - World War II Photo

Wounded Doberman Pinscher Boy at Okinawa with Japanese Rising Sun Flag - World War II Photo

Blue - My Dobie. He doesn't have a military background but he is my good buddy.



UPDATE: Blue passed away suddenly Friday night, May 24, 2013. Only 5 1/2 years old he was gone too soon. There is no obvious reason why he died. He appeared to have been running, which is what he loved doing best, and it seems to have been sudden with no warning that he collapsed and died. EDITED: June 9, 2013 - A necropsy determined that Blue had a small amount of scarring on his heart which was undetectable even by his veterinarian. His heart went into an arrhythmia and he died of sudden heart failure. He was cremated and buried in my backyard next to Sassy.