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Sergeant Stubby (1916 – March 16, 1926) was a dog who was the unofficial mascot of the 102nd Infantry Regiment and was assigned to the 26th (Yankee) Division in World War I and travelled with his division to France to fight alongside the French. He served for 18 months and participated in 100 battles and four offensives on the Western Front. He saved his regiment from surprise mustard gas attacks, found and comforted the wounded, and allegedly once attacked and held a German soldier by the seat of his pants, keeping him there until American soldiers found him.[2] His actions were well-documented in contemporary American newspapers.[3][4][5] He received many awards including a gold medal, a wound stripe and two purple hearts.

Key Information

Stubby has been called the most decorated war dog of the Great War and the only dog to be nominated and promoted to sergeant through combat. Stubby's preserved body is on display in the National Museum of American History.[3][4][6] Stubby is the subject of the 2018 animated film Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero.

Early life

[edit]

Stubby was described in contemporaneous news items as a Boston Terrier or "bull terrier" mutt.[5][7] Describing him as a dog of "uncertain breed," Ann Bausum wrote that: "The brindle-patterned pup probably owed at least some of his parentage to the evolving family of Boston Terriers, a breed so new that even its name was in flux: Boston Round Heads, American...[8] and Boston Bull Terriers."[9][10] Stubby was found wandering the grounds of the Yale University campus in New Haven, Connecticut, in July 1917, while members of the 102nd Infantry were training. He hung around as the men drilled and one soldier in particular, Corporal James Robert Conroy (1892–1987), developed a fondness for him.[4] When it came time for the outfit to ship out, Conroy hid Stubby on board the troop ship. As they were getting off the ship in France, he hid Stubby under his overcoat without detection.[11] Upon discovery by Conroy's commanding officer, Stubby saluted him as he had been trained to do in camp, and the commanding officer allowed the dog to stay on board.[6]

Military service

[edit]
Sergeant Stubby wearing his coat, dog tag and medals.

Stubby served with the 102nd Infantry Regiment in the trenches in France for 18 months and participated in four offensives and 17 battles. He entered combat on February 5, 1918, at Chemin des Dames, north of Soissons, and was under constant fire, day and night for over a month. In April 1918, during a raid to take Seicheprey, Stubby was wounded in the foreleg by retreating Germans throwing hand grenades. He was sent to the rear for convalescence and, as he had done on the front, improved morale. When he recovered from his wounds, Stubby returned to the trenches.[4]

In his first year of battle, Stubby was injured by mustard gas. After he recovered, he returned with a specially designed gas mask to protect him.[12] He thus learned to warn his unit of mustard gas attacks, locate wounded soldiers in no man's land, and—since he could hear the whine of incoming artillery shells before humans—became very adept at alerting his unit when to duck for cover. He was solely responsible for capturing a German spy in the Argonne, leading to their unit's commander nominating Stubby for the rank of sergeant.[6] Following the retaking of Château-Thierry by the U.S., women of the town made Stubby a chamois coat upon which his many medals were pinned. He was later injured again, in the chest and leg by a grenade. He ultimately had two wound stripes.[13] At the end of the war, Robert Conroy and Stubby returned home in 1918.[6]

After the war

[edit]
Gen. John Pershing awards Sergeant Stubby with a medal from the Humane Education Society at a White House ceremony, 1921

After returning home, Stubby became a celebrity and marched in, and normally led many parades across the country. He met Presidents Woodrow Wilson, Calvin Coolidge, and Warren G. Harding.[6] He also appeared on vaudeville stages owned by Sylvester Z. Poli and was awarded lifetime memberships to the American Legion and the YMCA.

In 1921, General of the Armies John J. Pershing presented a gold medal from the Humane Education Society to Stubby, the subject of a famous photograph and other artistic media.[4][5][13][14] During that same year, he attended Georgetown University Law Center along with Conroy, and became the Georgetown Hoyas' team mascot.[14] Given a football at halftime, he would nudge it around the field, to the amusement of the fans.[15][16] While still a student at Georgetown, Conroy was also employed as a special agent of the Bureau of Investigation, precursor to the FBI.[17]

Stubby died in his sleep in March 1926.[4] After his death he was preserved via taxidermy and his cremains were sealed inside of the mount.[18] Conroy later presented Stubby to the Smithsonian in 1956. The taxidermy mount of the dog is part of the permanent collection at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History[19] and is currently on display in their “Price of Freedom: Americans at War” exhibit.

Legacy

[edit]
Sergeant Stubby's brick at Liberty Memorial
Sergeant Stubby preserved at the National Museum of American History

Stubby received an obituary in the New York Times following his death in 1926. The obituary was half a page, much longer than the obituaries of many notable people of that time period.[14]

He was also the subject of a portrait by "Capitol artist" Charles Ayer Whipple.[5] He was featured in the Brave Beasts exhibit at the Legermuseum in Delft, The Netherlands from 2008 to 2009.[20] During a ceremony held on Armistice Day in 2006, a brick was placed in the Walk of Honor at the Liberty Memorial in Kansas City to commemorate Sergeant Stubby.[21]

Stubby was the subject of at least four books.[11][22][23][24] In 2014, BBC Schools WWI series used Stubby as a Famous Figure to help teach children about the war, along with creating an animated comic strip to illustrate his life.[25][26]

Sergeant Stubby monument at Veterans Memorial Park in Middletown, Connecticut

Stubby has his portrait on display at the West Haven Military Museum in Connecticut.[11] In addition, the descendants of Robert Conroy dedicated a life-size bronze statue of Stubby named "Stubby Salutes," by Susan Bahary, in the Connecticut Trees of Honor Memorial at Veteran's Memorial Park in Middletown, Connecticut, in May 2018.[27][28] The statue pays tribute to fallen Connecticut veterans, where both Stubby and Robert Conroy are from.[29]

Animated film

[edit]

Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero is an animated feature-length film based on the life and times of Stubby. Theatrically released on April 13, 2018,[30][31] the film features the voices of Logan Lerman,[32] Helena Bonham Carter,[33] and Gérard Depardieu[34] with music by Academy Award nominee Patrick Doyle. The animation is made by the studio Mikros Image[35] and produced by Irish-American studio Fun Academy Media Group.[36]

The film received high marks from film critics and was officially endorsed by several high-profile institutions, including the Humane Society of the United States, the Armed Services YMCA, the Westminster Kennel Club, and the United States World War One Centennial Commission.[37]

The film received generally positive reviews and numerous awards, including the Parents' Choice Foundation Gold Award and The Dove Foundation's All Ages Seal of Approval, despite the film not containing any explicit faith-based messaging.[38][39][40]

The series was announced to be developed by writers Scott Christian Sava (Animal Crackers, The Dreamland Chronicles), Audry Taylor (Pet Robots), and David Wise (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Batman: The Animated Series).[41] Wise died months after the announcement.

See also

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References

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Further reading

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Sergeant Stubby

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Sergeant Stubby was a stray who became the unofficial mascot of the Army's 102nd Infantry Regiment, 26th "Yankee" Division, during , serving on the Western Front from 1917 to 1918 and gaining fame for his heroic actions, including alerting troops to poison gas attacks, locating wounded soldiers, and capturing a German spy. Adopted as a pup in 1917 during training at in , by Private J. Robert Conroy, Stubby—named for his short, stumpy tail—was smuggled aboard the SS Minnesota in October 1917 to join the regiment in , despite official prohibitions on pets. Over the course of the war, Stubby participated in 17 battles and major offensives, including the Champagne-Marne, Aisne-Marne, St. Mihiel, and Meuse-Argonne campaigns, as well as the recapture of Château-Thierry in the summer of 1918. He was wounded by shrapnel in the leg and chest during a German raid at Seicheprey, France, in April 1918—and gassed multiple times, yet recovered to continue serving, even visiting wounded soldiers at a Red Cross hospital to boost morale. For his role in capturing the German spy in the Argonne Forest—where he bit the intruder and held him until American soldiers arrived—Stubby was unofficially promoted to the rank of sergeant by Conroy and the regiment, becoming the first dog to hold rank in the U.S. armed forces; he wore custom-made sergeant's stripes and a uniform adorned with service chevrons, wound stripes, and allied flags. French civilians honored him with a chamois blanket featuring embroidered battle patches, and he received medals such as the French Grande War Medal and a wound stripe from General John J. Pershing in 1921. After the war, Stubby returned to the with Conroy, where he became a national celebrity, leading parades— including one in , in 1921—and meeting Presidents (in France), , and . He served as for Georgetown University's football team in the 1920s, was made a lifetime member of the , the , and the Red Cross. Stubby died on March 16, 1926, in Conroy's arms at age 10, reportedly from old age and the lingering effects of his war injuries. His taxidermied remains, mounted by his family, were donated to the Smithsonian Institution in 1956 and have been on display at the National Museum of American History since 2004, solidifying his legacy as one of the most decorated war dogs in U.S. and an early symbol of canine contributions to military service.

Origins

Early Life and Discovery

Sergeant Stubby was born around 1916 as a stray in the United States, with no definitive records of his exact origins or parentage. He was described in contemporary accounts as a and white bull mix, unpedigreed and of small stature, featuring a distinctive short, bobbed tail that contributed to his eventual nickname. Prior to his discovery, Stubby lived as a homeless wanderer, likely scavenging in urban areas near . In July 1917, during summer training exercises for , Stubby appeared at Yale Field in , where the 102nd Infantry Regiment of the 26th Yankee Division was encamped. The stray puppy caught the attention of Private J. Robert Conroy, who was among the soldiers from the First Regiment conducting drills on the university grounds. Stubby quickly endeared himself to the troops through his playful demeanor, wandering among the men and engaging in lighthearted interactions that boosted morale amid the rigors of basic training. The soldiers affectionately named the dog "Stubby" in reference to his stunted tail, a moniker that stuck as he became an informal companion during their preparations. With a compact, barrel-chested build typical of types, Stubby exhibited an energetic and curious personality that led him to follow the regiment's routines, including marching alongside the men. His initial presence at the camp marked the beginning of his bond with the unit, though he remained a stray until formal adoption efforts ensued.

Adoption into the Military

In July 1917, during training exercises at Camp Yale in , a stray with a short wandered into the encampment of the 102nd Infantry Regiment, part of the 26th (Yankee) Division of the U.S. . Private J. Robert Conroy, a from , took a particular interest in the dog, adopting him and naming him Stubby due to his docked . Despite army regulations prohibiting pets, Stubby quickly endeared himself to the troops and was informally accepted as the regiment's mascot. Over the following months, Stubby integrated fully into military life, participating in drills alongside the soldiers. He learned to respond to bugle calls, execute a by raising his paw upon hearing "present arms," and in formation during parades, which further solidified his place within the unit. These skills not only boosted among the troops but also demonstrated Stubby's adaptability to the regiment's routines at Camp Yale. By the time preparations for overseas deployment began, Stubby had become an inseparable companion to Conroy and a symbol of camaraderie for the 102nd . When the 102nd Infantry prepared to depart for in 1917, Conroy was determined not to leave Stubby behind. He smuggled the dog aboard the troop transport SS at , initially concealing him in a coal bin to evade detection. Once at sea, Conroy hid Stubby under his overcoat during inspections. Upon discovery by the ship's , Stubby reportedly saluted, prompting the officer to grant approval for the dog to remain with the as its official . This acceptance ensured Stubby's inclusion in the unit's journey to the European theater.

World War I Service

Combat Engagements

Sergeant Stubby's first exposure to combat occurred on February 5, 1918, when he entered the front lines near , , with the 102nd Infantry Regiment of the 26th "" Division, enduring continuous shelling for over a month. As the unit's official , Stubby provided a significant boost to the soldiers amid the harsh conditions of on the Western Front. Throughout his 18 months of service, Stubby participated in 17 battles and four major offensives, including the Second Battle of the Marne in July 1918, the Saint-Mihiel Offensive in September 1918, the Meuse-Argonne Offensive from October to November 1918, and the Aisne-Marne Offensive. He braved intense artillery fire, gas attacks, and the chaos of frontline engagements alongside his regiment, demonstrating remarkable resilience in the face of enemy assaults. Stubby's exemplary conduct in led to his unofficial promotion to the rank of by his , marking him as the first dog to achieve such a rank in the United States Army through actions. This honor reflected his integral role in sustaining and spirit during the grueling campaigns of the war.

Heroic Actions and Injuries

During his service with the 102nd Infantry Regiment of the 26th Yankee Division, Sergeant Stubby demonstrated remarkable instincts that contributed to the safety of his fellow soldiers. In early , after surviving an initial exposure to , Stubby developed a heightened sensitivity to the chemical agent and began alerting troops to incoming attacks by barking frantically and biting at their legs to rouse them from sleep, enabling many to don their gas masks in time and preventing numerous casualties. He also played a vital role in aiding the wounded, using his keen and hearing to locate injured soldiers in no-man's-land during patrols and battles; Stubby would stay by their side, providing comfort, or guide medics to their positions until evacuation was possible. One of Stubby's most celebrated acts of bravery occurred in the Argonne Forest during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, when he encountered a German spy attempting to map Allied positions. Stubby attacked the intruder, biting and holding him by the pants until American forces arrived to take the into custody, an action that directly earned him an unofficial promotion to the rank of by his regiment's . This incident highlighted his loyalty and courage amid the dangers of frontline combat. Stubby sustained injuries over his 18 months of service in 17 battles across major offensives. In February 1918, he was hospitalized after inhaling during an attack, an experience that later informed his warning behaviors. During the Seicheprey raid in April 1918, shrapnel from a German wounded his right foreleg and chest, requiring treatment at a Red Cross . For these injuries, he received a wound stripe on his uniform. His uniform, a chamois blanket crafted by French women after the recapture of in July 1918, was adorned with Allied flags, service chevrons, a wound stripe, and wartime medals from both French and American sources, symbolizing his contributions to the .

Post-War Life

Return and Public Engagements

Sergeant Stubby returned to the with his handler, J. Robert Conroy, in early 1919 following the armistice, having been smuggled aboard the for the voyage home as he had been on the outbound journey. Upon arrival and demobilization at Camp , on April 29, 1919, Stubby was celebrated as a war hero, his fame stemming from newspaper accounts of his frontline service with the 102nd . Stubby quickly became a fixture in commemorations, participating in victory parades across the country. He notably led the 102nd in the homecoming parade on April 25, 1919, marching at the head of his unit in full uniform adorned with service chevrons. His presence in such events symbolized the regiment's sacrifices and boosted public morale during the transition to peacetime. The dog's celebrity status afforded him access to high-level dignitaries, including meetings with three U.S. presidents. On Christmas Day 1918, Stubby encountered President in Mandres-en-Gaule, , during Wilson's visit to the troops. Later, in the early 1920s, he visited the twice: first with President around 1921, and then with President in 1924, reportedly shaking paws with each leader in a gesture of recognition for his service. As Conroy enrolled at in the early 1920s, Stubby accompanied him and was adopted as the official mascot for the athletic teams. He attended football games and other sporting events, often appearing on the sidelines in his decorated blanket, which helped foster and drew crowds eager to see the war hero. This role solidified Stubby's transition from battlefield companion to beloved campus icon during the decade. Stubby also engaged extensively in veterans' activities, becoming a lifetime member of the and participating in their conventions and parades nationwide. He supported public campaigns, including Victory Loan drives to fund post-war recovery efforts, and traveled widely with Conroy to promote veterans' causes and Red Cross initiatives, embodying the era's spirit of national gratitude and unity.

Honors and Death

Sergeant Stubby received several military honors during and immediately after , including the Republic of Grande War Medal, campaign ribbons such as the St. Mihiel and medals representing his participation in 17 battles, all of which were attached to his uniform jacket. In 1921, Stubby was awarded a by the Humane Society for his service to humanity, presented by General at a ceremony. He also received lifetime memberships in the and the , the latter entitling him to three bones a day and a place to sleep. In his later years, Stubby's health declined due to lingering effects from war injuries, including exposure to mustard gas that left him sensitive to such attacks. He died on March 16, 1926, at approximately 9–10 years old, from old age compounded by those effects, while in the Washington, D.C., apartment of his owner, J. Robert Conroy. Following his death, Stubby's remains were taxidermied and mounted by his family. Conroy donated them to the Smithsonian Institution on April 24, 1956; they have been on display at the National Museum of American History since 2004. His passing was marked by a prominent obituary in The New York Times on April 4, 1926, which celebrated him as a national hero who had marched in parades alongside President Woodrow Wilson and General Pershing.

Legacy

Memorials and Tributes

Following his death in 1926, Sergeant Stubby's preserved remains, along with his medal-covered jacket and other artifacts from his service, have been on permanent display at the Smithsonian Institution's since their donation in 1956 by his owner, J. Robert Conroy. The exhibit, featured in the "Price of Freedom: Americans at War" gallery since 2004, highlights Stubby's role as a mascot and includes his taxidermied body—containing his cremated remains—positioned to showcase the uniform jacket adorned with service stripes, wound chevrons, and decorations such as the Victory Medal and a Humane Education Society award. In 2006, during an ceremony, a commemorative brick honoring Sergeant Stubby was added to the Walk of Honor at the National World War I Museum and Memorial (formerly the Liberty Memorial) in , recognizing his contributions to the alongside other veterans. On May 26, 2018——a life-sized titled "Stubby Salutes," sculpted by Susan Bahary, was dedicated in Veterans Memorial Park in , near the State Veterans Memorial. The 2.5-foot-tall sculpture depicts Stubby on his hind legs, raising a paw in salute atop a base, serving as a tribute to his wartime heroism and the bond between soldiers and their canine companions. A second instance of the same sculpture was unveiled on May 23, 2019, at the AKC Museum of the Dog in , where it is permanently housed to honor Stubby's legacy as America's first war dog. Sergeant Stubby's legacy extends to various museum exhibits beyond the Smithsonian, including displays at the in Fort Moore, Georgia, where his story is featured in contexts of and animal service. Additionally, he is the subject of the 2014 children's book Stubby the War Dog: The True Story of World War I's Bravest Dog by Ann Bausum, published by , which draws on historical records to detail his life and impact. In animal welfare circles, has been recognized for advancing the role of military working dogs, with endorsements from the Humane Society of the United States highlighting his historical significance in promoting the welfare and deployment of service animals in armed forces.

Representations in Media

has been prominently featured in modern media, most notably through the animated Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero, directed by Richard Lanni. The , released on April 13, , depicts Stubby's transformation from a stray to a decorated war hero alongside his owner, Private Robert Conroy, voiced by , with additional voices by as Margaret Conroy and Gérard Depardieu as Gaston Plantin. Produced by Fun Academy Motion Pictures and animated by Mikros Image, the movie draws on Stubby's real-life experiences to highlight themes of loyalty and courage during . The film received critical acclaim for its family-friendly portrayal of history, earning endorsements from organizations such as the and the Armed Services , which praised its inspirational value. It also garnered multiple awards, including selections at over 40 international film festivals and wins such as Best Animated Feature at the 2018 Palm Springs International Animation Festival. Beyond theatrical release, the production has been utilized in educational screenings, contributing to its recognition by the One Centennial Commission. Stubby's story extends to other media formats, including like Sergeant Stubby: Hero Pup of by Laurie Calkhoven, published in 2018 as part of the G.I. Dogs series, which narrates his wartime adventures from a canine perspective to engage young readers. Documentaries have also immortalized his legacy, such as the Smithsonian Institution's online resources and video segments exploring his role as a in the 102nd . Additionally, online exhibits from the National WWI Museum and Memorial provide interactive timelines and educator materials detailing Stubby's contributions, making his narrative accessible for historical study. These representations have played a key role in educating audiences about the contributions of animals in , particularly for younger generations, by blending entertainment with historical facts to foster appreciation for military service animals. The film's approachable style has boosted interest in lesser-known aspects of the war, emphasizing themes of heroism and companionship without .

References

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  2. https://portal.ct.gov/mil/mapo/history/people/stubby-the-military-dog
  3. https://www.annbausum.com/stubby/index.html
  4. https://americanhistory.si.edu/explore/stories/stubby-dog-hoya-mascot-and-war-hero
  5. https://www.lowellmilkencenter.org/programs/projects/view/the-most-decorated-animal-in-american-military-history/hero
  6. https://www.familysearch.org/en/blog/sergeant-stubby-famous-world-war-military-dog
  7. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/188458644/james_robert-conroy
  8. https://www.yalealumnimagazine.com/blog_posts/1799-meet-sgt-stubby-the-war-dog-who-trained-at-camp-yale
  9. 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
  10. https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2014/05/dogs-of-war-sergeant-stubby-the-u-s-armys-original-and-still-most-highly-decorated-canine-soldier.html
  11. https://www.acc.af.mil/News/Article/661679/beales-squadrons-shared-wwi-battlefields-with-sgt-stubby/
  12. https://www.legion.org/information-center/news/magazine/2015/february/sgt-stubby
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  15. https://gordon.armymwr.com/info/culturemil/sergeant-stubby-hero-dog-wwi-brave-stray
  16. https://www.defensemedianetwork.com/stories/sgt-stubby-american-war-dog/
  17. https://husheduphistory.com/post/135818652853/sergeant-stubby-part-2-stateside-stages-and-the
  18. https://library.georgetown.edu/infrequently-asked-questions/blog/did-decorated-war-hero-once-serve-our-mascot
  19. https://hoyabasketball.com/history/jack.htm
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  21. https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/military-dogs.htm
  22. https://www.si.edu/object/nmah_439710
  23. https://portal.ct.gov/MIL/MAPO/History/People/Stubbys-Obituary
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  25. https://patch.com/connecticut/middletown-ct/sgt-stubby-statue-was-unveiled
  26. https://www.boston.com/news/animals/2018/05/26/monument-famous-war-dog-stubby/
  27. https://www.akc.org/press-releases/bronze-sculpture-americas-first-war-dog-housed-akc-museum-dog/
  28. https://nationalinfantrymuseum.org/sgt-stubby-an-american-hero/
  29. https://www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/communicate/press-media/wwi-centennial-news/4222-sgt-stubby-movie-partners-with-the-humane-society-of-the-u-s.html
  30. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5314190/
  31. https://www.mikrosanimation.com/en/news/technicolor-and-mikros-image-to-lead-digital-animation-work-for-fun-academy-motion-pictures-sgt-stubby/
  32. https://www.legion.org/information-center/news/honor/2018/december/sgt-stubby-embracing-status-as-award-contender
  33. https://www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/communicate/press-media/wwi-centennial-news/4259-a-soldier-and-his-dog-review-of-sgt-stubby-an-american-hero.html
  34. https://www.theworldwar.org/learn/educator-resource/price-freedom-americans-war-stubby
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  36. https://www.historyextra.com/period/first-world-war/sergeant-stubby-richard-lanni-film-animated-war-dog-american-history/
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