As I sit writing this post, my two dogs wrestle playfully near my feet. It’s hard to imagine parting with them for any reason. But during World War II, dog owners across the United States were asked to make a difficult decision: Would they give up their beloved pets to serve in the war effort as part of the “Dogs for Defense” program?
Even children were encouraged to consider this request through posters, songs, radio programs and children’s books, including one I came across at a recent used book sale. The book, Jeeps – A Dog for Defense, written by Sylvestre C. Watkins and published in 1944, tells the story of a patriotic young boy who parts with his dog, Jeeps, so the dog can serve in the U.S. Army. Jeeps is sent to the Pacific, where he saves the lives of his handler and others on multiple occasions. The book was part of a broader effort to inspire citizens, especially children, to “draft” their dogs for military duty.
On March 13, 1942, the U.S. Army officially established the K-9 Corps, also known as the War Dog Program or Dogs for Defense. The American Kennel Club spearheaded the effort to recruit dogs for service, calling on Americans to donate their pets to the military. Over the course of the war, nearly 18,000 dogs were volunteered by citizens. However, not all were suited for the demands of military life—about 8,000 dogs failed to pass the rigorous training, according to one source.
The concept of using dogs in war was not new. Even in World War I, dogs had played a role, with Rin Tin Tin, a German war dog, becoming a famous example of canine heroism. And many battalions had their faithful mascots going back to the Civil War. But World War II saw a more formalized and large-scale deployment of dogs in combat.
Seven breeds were considered best suited for military duties: German Shepherds, Belgian Sheep Dogs, Doberman Pinschers, Collies, Siberian Huskies, Malamutes, and Eskimo Dogs. To qualify, a dog had to have a good temperament and be trainable. Once selected, dogs underwent 8-12 weeks of intensive training at camps Front Royal, VA, Fort Robinson, NE, Cat Island, MS, Camp Rimini, MT, and San Carlos, CA. Dogs were trained for a variety of roles, including sentry duty, scouting, messenger services, and mine detection. Some of the dogs patrolled and guarded ammunition plants or shorelines stateside. They learned not to bark and could detect enemy scents from up to half a mile away.
Sadly, not all experiments with military dogs were successful—or humane. On Cat Island, off the coast of Gulfport, MS, the Army conducted a top secret mission aimed at training dogs to identify and attack Japanese soldiers specifically. To carry out this plan, 25 Japanese-American soldiers from Company B, 100th Infantry Battalion, at Fort McCoy, WI were recruited to serve as “bait” in training exercises. One of the men, Ray Nosaka, later recounted disturbing stories from his time on the island, a very dark chapter in the Dogs for Defense program.
It’s not likely we’ll ever really know how many dogs served in the K9 Corps. Some account for 20,000-25,000 while other sources cite 50,000 all the way up to 300,000. An official report credits 465 dogs as deployed in combat zones such as Guam, Okinawa, and Guadalcanal. On the island of Guam alone, 25 dogs were killed in action. Their sacrifices were honored in 1944 when the National War Dog Cemetery was established at Naval Base Guam.
The Dogs for Defense program was officially disbanded in August 1945. Many dogs were returned to their original families, while others were adopted as “military surplus.” Those who returned home received certificates of faithful service and honorable discharges. Of the 3,000 dogs returned through the surplus program, only four were deemed unsuitable for civilian life. Interestingly, more than 15,000 citizens applied to adopt the war dogs, under the condition that they return the shipping crates and food bowls used to transport the canines.
The Military Police Corps later took over responsibility for all military K-9 operations. And a second monument dedicated to these extraordinary dogs stands at the U.S. Army Airborne and Special Operations Forces Museum in Fayetteville, NC. The statue called “Constant Vigilance” has a plaque beneath it which reads: “The bond between a Special Operations Forces Handler and his K9 is eternal. Trusting each other in a nameless language. Here we honor our Special Operations Forces K9s that have paid the ultimate price.” The statue serves as a tribute to the loyalty and bravery of the dogs who served alongside human soldiers.
My dogs have tired themselves out and now lie snoring next to my feet. Could I ever imagine donating my own for a patriotic cause like the Dogs for Defense program? Did the US need to reach out to kids and families to donate their pets? Honestly, no, but it did serve a purpose in allowing Americans to show their patriotic duty through personal sacrifice. For many during World War II, the call to serve—even for their pets—was a call they couldn’t ignore.
Sources: https://armyhistory.org/the-dogs-of-war-the-u-s-armys-use-of-canines-in-wwii/
http://nisei.hawaii.edu/object/io_1153256967265.html
The Capital Times (Madison, Wisconsin) – Thursday, April 22, 1943 Page 18 : Purina Ad