In 1917, a stray puppy wandered around the fields of Yale University where soldiers prepared to fight in World War I. He was so popular that his actions were well-documented in contemporary American newspapers. Sergeant Stubby. Stubby went on to become a very brave soldier and won a lot of medals before he reached the age of two. Robert Conroy enrolled in Georgetown Law School in 1921, and Stubby became mascot of the football team. Sergeant Stubby, was born in America during 1916 or 1917 when the war was already going on. Although the US military didn’t yet have an official ‘military working dog’ programme, Stubby’s instincts and charm made him a firm favourite with the men of the regiment, who taught him how to raise his paw ‘in salute’. For Stubby to be several weeks old in 1917 could possibly indicate that he was born in late 1916. Your guide to the Domesday Book: the most important document in English history? When was Sergeant Stubby born? For capturing an enemy spy, Stubby was put in for a promotion to the rank of sergeant by the commander of the 102nd Infantry. America Enters WW1 Sgt. You're now subscribed to our newsletter. The descendants of Robert Conroy (Stubby's inseparable companion) tell the real story. One of the men, a 25-year-old private named Robert Conroy, took a shining to the young dog and began to take care of him, naming him ‘Stubby’ for his stature and tail. Stubby was involved in many battles while stationed overseas, including the second battle of Marne (July 1918) and the battle of Chateau-Thierry (July 1918). For his efforts that night, Stubby was issued an Iron Cross medal that had originally been given to the German spy. He was sent to the rear for convalescence, and as he had done on the front was able to improve morale. You will shortly receive a receipt for your purchase via email. After returning home, Stubby became a celebrity and marched in, and normally led, many parades across the country. Sergeant Stubby was the first war dog used by the United States in World War I. [2][3][4] Stubby was found wandering the grounds of Yale Field in New Haven, Connecticut while a group of soldiers were training. Courtesy of Division of Armed Forces/Smithsonian National Museum of America History. I realised immediately that Stubby was a fantastic potential conduit to bring history alive to children: he was an amazingly inspirational character for a little dog, and children relate to animals. As the German ran, Stubby bit him on the legs, causing the soldier to trip and fall. Private Robert J. Conroy was undergoing military training in the area at the time, and found the little dog with a short tail who he decided to name Stubby. Save 50% on a BBC History Magazine or BBC History Revealed subscription Sergeant Stubby (c1916–1926) was an American dog who served as the mascot of America’s 102nd Infantry Regiment during the First World War. Private John Robert Conroy, who developed a fondness for the dog, brought him to his camp and named him Stubby because of his stumpy tail. The dog hung around as the men drilled and one soldier, Corporal Robert Conroy, developed a fondness for the Boston Terrier. Until 1917 it is thought that he wandered the streets of New Haven, Connecticut scrounging for scraps of food. Stubby", http://www.toledoblade.com/local/2013/05/27/Canine-soldiers-earn-accolades.html, "1921 The Evening World: Stubby, a brindle Boston Bull Terrier...". Stubby went on to become a very brave soldier and won a lot of medals before he reached the age of two.6. He continued to attack the man until the U.S. soldiers arrived. Stubby was a stray dog, wandering around a Yale University field, when he was rescued in 1917 by John Robert Conroy, a soldier being trained for World War I combat. Here are some interesting things to know about this four-legged hero. Attempts by the German to deceive the dog were futile. By the time the unit had left for France, Private Conroy had become so devoted to his new furry friend that he stowed him on the ship. When a commanding officer discovered Stubby’s presence, the dog responded by saluting him. 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. Truth vs. fiction about the famous WWI war dog. Home » History » Sergeant Stubby. The battlefields of World War I were the scene of much heroism. 1921 The Evening World: Stubby, a brindle Boston Bull Terrier... http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030193/1921-07-08/ed-1/seq-2.pdf, "Vintage Boston Terrier name "Boston Bull Terrier" (in reference to Stubby's breed)", "Visual of the Boston Terrier (aka Boston Bull Terrier) of 1912", https://military.wikia.org/wiki/Sergeant_Stubby?oldid=5186149, Humane Education Society Gold Medal Medal of Honor. When it came time for the outfit to ship out, Conroy hid Stubby on boar… Sergeant Stubby. He became the first dog to be given rank in the United States Armed Forces. Courtesy of Division of Armed Forces/Smithsonian National Museum of America History. [5] Stubby served with the 102nd Infantry, 26th (Yankee) Division in the trenches in France for 18 months and participated in four offensives and 17 battles. On July 6, 1921, a curious gathering took place at the State, War, and Navy Building on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington. In Sgt. Stubby came on to be a very brave soldier and won a lot of medals before the age of two. Although his story is theoretically an American one, the First World War was something we were all involved in and can relate to. One unique hero, however, walked on all fours! It was a real challenge, but we tried to be as sensitive as possible. Stubby, according to vintage articles from his time (linked below in "references") and this 1921 one in particular, was noted to be a Boston Bull Terrier,[1] which is the old term for the Boston Terrier breed. Sgt. After the war, he went on to become the mascot for a sports team at Georgetown University, Washington DC, where Conroy studied law, and was given the unofficial rank of sergeant – a rank higher than that of his master. Everything you ever wanted to know about... 7 things you probably didn’t know about America’s entry and involvement in the First World War, The telegram that brought America into the First World War, Find out more about the Sergeant Stubby movie here. Nobody knows when exactly Stubby was born as he was found in Connecticut in the United States of America. May 6, 2015 - Explore Madonna kemp's board "sergeant stubby Famouse war Boxer" on Pinterest. In 1916 or 1917, Stubby showed up at Yale Field in New Haven, Connecticut, while a group of soldiers were training. Sergeant Stubby was a dog, born in America in about 1916 when the war was already going on. I look at audience comments from our US viewers, for example, and they say that children wanted to know more about the First World War after watching the film. He met Presidents Woodrow Wilson, Calvin Coolidge, and Warren G. Harding. But how much do you know about the decorated war dog? In 1926, Stubby died at home, reportedly in Conroy’s arms. Sergeant Stubby, was born in America during 1916 or 1917 when the war was already going on. The dog hung around as the men drilled and one soldier, Corporal Robert Conroy, developed a fondness for the Boston Terrier. During World War I, this dog was the official mascot of the 102nd Infantry Regiment and was assigned to the 26th (Yankee) Division. Sergeant Stubby. His sharp ears and ability to hear the whine of artillery shells before they landed were extremely useful, and Stubby was particularly helpful in locating wounded soldiers in no man’s land. He was an ownerless stray when he was befriended by J. Robert Conrad, a private in the 102nd Infantry of the 26th “Yankee” Division in training at Camp Yale in Connecticut. He was born on July 21st 1916. Lest we forget. As the German ran, Stubby bit him on the legs, causing the soldier to trip and fall. Sergeant Stubby's brick at the World War I Memorial. 1. One of Stubby’s greatest recorded achievements occurred late one night on the western front. Following the war, Stubby returned home to America. At the end of the war, Conroy smuggled Stubby home. But he was no ordinary stray: just a few years later – following the end of the First World War – the tenacious canine had become known as the most decorated dog in American history. The soldier called to Stubby, who put his ears back and began to bark. A: Most of the film – I’d say 90 per cent of it – is based on real events. Mentions of Nellie’s stubby tail may have caused her story to become conflated with that of Sergeant Stubby, introduced to the world by the Boston Globe on April 8, 1919, about halfway through an article entitled “Heroes Aplenty On Agamemnon,” profiling the soldiers and animals aboard a recently landed troop transport ship. Stubby was found wandering the grounds of Yale Field in New Haven, Connecticutwhile a group of soldiers were training. Nobody knows exactly when the dog later known as Sergeant Stubby was born, but it is thought to have been during the first half of the First World War. He was honoured with a medal for heroism from the Humane Education Society – an animal protection organisation – and met with presidents Woodrow Wilson, Calvin Coolidge and Warren G Harding. Stubby was found while wandering the campus Yale University in Connecticut while the 102nd Infantry was training. Featuring the voices of Helena Bonham Carter and Gérard Depardieu, Sgt Stubby recounts Stubby’s heroic journey from a stray on the streets to becoming the most decorated dog in military history. On July 6, 1921, a curious gathering took place at the State, War, and Navy Building on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington. I realised that this was how we needed to approach a film about Stubby: we needed to be conscious of the fact that we’re in a war, but focus the little ones’ attention on the dog. By the end of the war, Stubby had served in seventeen battles and four major offensives. 2. Stubby and Robert Conroy Connecticut State Library 1918 to 1919 While overseas, Stubby saw action in 17 different battles and received critical wounds during a chemical attack. Also Includes: Stubby word search Design a stamp template Design a word search 2 Event Graphic Organisers. Starting in 1921, he attended Georgetown University Law Center with Conroy, and became the Georgetown Hoyas' team mascot. Sergeant Stubby wearing a military uniform and decorations. Stubby — who was believed to be a Pit Bull mix — was the most decorated war dog in U.S. history. Died Washington, D.C., 1926. On this matter, we took the view: why not? When was Sergeant Stubby born? With Logan Lerman, Helena Bonham Carter, Gérard Depardieu, Jordan Beck. Truth vs. fiction about the famous WWI war dog. Sergeant Stubby An article by Emily Thompson 20th October 2017 • 3 min read. Stubby’s heroism in the face of extreme danger caused a sensation. For capturing an enemy spy, Stubby was put in for a promotion to the rank of sergeant by the commander of the 102nd Infantry. Born New Haven, Connecticut, circa 1916. Directed by Richard Lanni. In 1916 or 1917, Stubby showed up at Yale Field in New Haven, Connecticut, while a group of soldiers were training. He was a dog of uncertain breed, described in early news stories as either a Bull Terrier or Boston Terrier, with a short stature, barrel shape and friendly temperament. America Enters WW1 Sgt. Whether he met George Patton [the famed US military commander who led troops in the First and Second World War] is up for debate, but we do know they were once in the same place at the same time. But just as the real Stubby’s journey took him from homeless mutt to celebrated Soldier, his animated counterpart’s journey to the big screen has been quite the adventure … a story nearly a decade in the making. Stubby died of old age in 1926, and Conroy held him in his arms until the dog had taken his last breath. He was immediately promoted to the rank of sergeant by the commander of the 102nd Infantry. You can unsubscribe at any time. Sergeant Stubby wearing his uniform and medals. Many people don’t know that much about the war, particularly in America where people were perhaps less directly affected compared to those in Europe. He also helped free a French town from the Germans. Rachel Dinning is the Digital Editorial Assistant at History Extra. Heroes are often born in the most inconspicuous of circumstances. As recently as 2006, Stubby was honored as part of a World War I monument in Kansas City. Sergeant Stubby and J. Robert Conroy, March 1919. Stubby’s Day. But on the whole, most of the elements relating to Stubby are true. He made friends with Corporal Robert Conroy and when Conroy … Here are some interesting things to know about this four-legged hero. 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