FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: NEMO ~ 23 October 2017

Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The Whole World !! | StarCMC and The Canteen Crew

[Kathy in Alaska]

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~ Hall of Heroes ~

NEMO

Info from here and here

           

 In March 1965, military working dogs were approved for use in Vietnam. By July 17th, forty teams had been deployed to three bases - Tan Son Nhut, Ben Hoa and DaNang. This was only the beginning, by the end of the year there were 99 dogs in the country. By September 1966 more than 500 dog teams were deployed to ten bases. In the seventeen months between July 1965 and December 1966 not a single Viet Cong sapper team penetrated a base guarded by sentry dogs.

NEMO, THE FIRST  HERO Of His Kind...

He was the first hero of his kind to return from the Vietnam War. The welcoming committee watched him walk down the ramp of the plane that had just landed at Kelly Air Force Base. He was wounded, his right eye was missing and a scar ran from below his right eye socket to his mouth. But his wounds weren't what made him different from other returning Vietnam veterans... it was because he was a dog.

Of the many dogs that served this country in Vietnam, Nemo is probably the most famous.

Nemo, was whelped October 1962, and was procured by the Air Force in the summer of '64, from a sergeant, for sentry dog training, when he was 1 1/2 years old.

After completing an eight-week training course at Lackland's Sentry Dog Training School, in San Antonio, Texas; the 85 pound, black and tan German Shepherd, and his new handler, Airman Bryant were assigned to Fairchild AB, Washington for duty with Strategic Air Command.

In January 1966, Nemo and handler, Airman Leonard Bryant Jr., were transferred to the Republic of South Vietnam with a large group of other dog teams, and was assigned to the 377th Security Police Squadron, stationed at Tan Son Nhut Air Base.

Six month later, in July, Nemo's original handler rotated back to the States. The dog was then paired with 22 year old Airman 2nd Class Robert Thorneburg.

It's here that we begin our story, on how and why Nemo was to become famous...

Nemo - No. A534, 377th Security Police K-9
Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Vietnam.

Tan Son Nhut: The story took a tragic turn on December 4, 1966. During the early morning hours a group of 60 Viet Cong emerged from the jungle. Several sentry dog teams stationed on preventive perimeter posts gave the initial alert and warning almost simultaneously.

Immediately, Rebel, a sentry dog on patrol, was released. The response was a hail of bullets that killed the dog.

Forty-five minutes later the group was detected by sentry dog Cubby. Cubby was released with the same results. It was clear that the VC had learned to handle the attack dog.

Another dog, Toby, was killed and several handlers wounded before the attackers were finally driven off.

As a result of this early warning, security forces of the 377th Air Police Squadron successfully repelled the attack, minimizing damage to aircraft and facilities. Although wounded, one dog handler maintained contact with the enemy and notified Central Security Control of their location and direction of travel.

Two security policemen in a machine gun bunker were ready and waiting as the Viet Cong approached the main aircraft parking ramp. In a few seconds they stopped the enemy, killing all 13 of the attackers.

Security forces rapidly deployed around the perimeter and prevented the infiltrators from escaping, forcing them to hide. Three airmen and their dogs had died in the fighting. By day break, the search patrols believed that all of the remaining Viet Cong were killed or captured. Unfortunately supervisors did not include dog teams in those daylight patrols.

Airman 2nd Class Bob Thorneburg and his dog Nemo were to become legends later that night.

The sentry dog teams that climbed into the back of the army truck that night were quieter than usual. Many of the handlers were thinking about the events of the previous night. They were saddened by the loss of their fellow K-9s. They were also anxious about what awaited them on their patrols. There was a good chance that stragglers from the previous night's attack could still be out there. That night, Thorneburg and Nemo were assigned duty near an old Vietnamese graveyard about a quarter mile from the air base's runways. No sooner had they started their patrol... Nemo alerted on something in the cemetery. But before Thorneburg could radio the CSC, that "something" opened fire. Thorneburg released his dog and then charged firing into the enemy. Nemo was shot and wounded, the bullet entering under his right eye and exited through his mouth. Thorneburg killed one VC before he too was shot in the shoulder and knocked to the ground.

That might of been the sad end of the story. But Nemo refused to give in without a fight. Ignoring his serious head wound, the 85 pound dog threw himself at the Vietcong guerrillas who had opened fire. Nemo's ferocious attack brought Thorneburg the time he needed to call in backup forces.

A Quick Reaction Team arrived and swept the area but found no other Viet Cong. However, security forces, using additional sentry dog teams, located and killed four more Viet Cong. A second sweep with the dog teams resulted in discovery of four more Viet Cong who were hiding underground. They, too, were killed.

Although severely wounded, Nemo crawled to his master and covered him with his body. Even after help arrived Nemo would not allow anyone to touch Thorneburg. Finally separated, both were taken back to the base for medical attention. Thorneburg was wounded a second time on the return to the base.

Lt. Raymond T. Hutson, the base vet, worked diligently to save Nemo's life. It required many skin grafts to restore the animal's appearance. Nemo was blinded in one eye. After the veterinarian felt Nemo was well enough, the dog was put back on perimeter duty. But it turned out his wounds needed further treatment.

On June 23, 1967, Air Force Headquarters directed that Nemo be returned to the United States with honors, as the first sentry dog to be officially retired from active service.

Thorneburg had to be evacuated to the hospital at Tachikawa Air Base in Japan to recuperate. The handler and the dog who saved his life said their final goodbyes. Airman Thorneburg fully recovered from his wounds and also returned home with honors.

Nemo flew halfway around the world accompanied by returning airman Melvin W. Bryant. The plane touched down in Japan, Hawaii and California. At each stop, Air Force vets would examine the brave dog for signs of discomfort, stress and fatigue...after all he was a War Hero!

Finally, the C-124 Globemaster touched down at Kelly Air Force Base, Texas, on July 22, 1967. Captain Robert M. Sullivan, was the officer in charge of the sentry dog training program at Lackland, and was the head of Nemo's welcome home committee.

"I have to keep from getting involved with individual dogs in this program," Sullivan said, "but I can't help feeling a little emotional about this dog. He shows how valuable a dog is to his handler in staying alive."

After settling in Nemo and Captain Sullivan made a number of cross country tours and television appearances, as part of the Air Force's recruitment drive for more war dog candidates, until the US involvement in Vietnam started to wind down.

Nemo then spent the rest of his retirement at the Department of Defense Dog Center, Lackland AFB, Texas. He was given a permanent kennel near the veterinary facility. A sign with his name, serial number, and details of his Vietnam heroic exploit designated his freshly painted home.

Nemo died December 1972 at Lackland AFB, shortly before the Christmas holiday; after a failed attempt to preserve his remains, the Vietnam War hero was lain to rest on March 15, 1973, at the DoD Dog Center, at the age of 11. Until then, his presence at Lackland reminded students just how important a dog is to his handler - and to the entire unit.

 

Please remember the Canteen is here to honor, support and entertain our troops and their families.  This is a politics-free zone!  Thanks for helping us in our mission! 

 

[Kathy in Alaska]

What a clown...but dogs will be dogs. LOL! A relative was quite the hero.

Drive safely when you head for home.

[radu]

It was mind-blowing! Hubby and his cousin would tell me about things that were there as they thought about them and I finally told them I had to go with them the next trip down. My back’s paying for it, big time, but it was worth it.

There are only a few guys hauling these things here and they can’t go every weekend so it’ll take a while to get it all. We had four trucks pulling trailers yesterday and brought back 4 vehicles and three large crates filled with all kinds of small items.

Mr. Creely plans to come up here next weekend for the cruise-in and open house at the museum. I think he’ll be pleased with how the items are being set up. What had been brought up a couple of weeks ago is already on display and what we brought back yesterday will be on display next weekend.

The museum has only been open a few months and I’ve discovered a lot of people around here didn’t know about it. I’ve been spreading the word, especially to our friends who are vets. They know about next weekend and plan to show up. I think they’ll be pleased.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening/morning, MS B...one picture says a WHOLE lot!!

Good one. ((HUGS))

[E.G.C.]

A very pleasant good Monday morning to everyone at the Canteen and to all our military at home and abroad. Thanks for your service to our country and thanks Star for this morning's thread.

How's it going?

[Kathy in Alaska]

The open house should be quite an event. And I like the idea that every vet should be able to see something he or she knows.

God Bless them all.

[MoochPooch]

Evening, Kathy! Aw . . . cute doggie!

[radu]

I hope the turnout is good so it WILL be quite an event. I don’t know what they’ve done in the way of advertising other than passing out fliers at car shows and cruise-ins in the area the past few weeks. At least those who have gotten the fliers will pass the word along to their friends and that will help.

I sent out an email to a bunch of folks around here to help get the word out along with telling others I run into around town.

I’m really looking forward to it and seeing the reactions of all the vets who show up, watching them group together to share stories about their time in service. Or tell their kids/grandkids about it. They’re welcome to tell me too. :-)

I’ll have to spend time outside with Baby, too, since the car’s still for sale. It’ll be a busy day running back and forth.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good morning, E...((HUGS))...hope you guys are having fun on the hunt.

You Bo have a great Monday.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Mooch...heroes in all shapes and sizes. d:o)

Hope you are enjoying a nice fall.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Hope you have the best day!

[MoochPooch]

Enjoying an Indian summer, though it will turn colder later this week.

[radu]

Thanks.

I hope THEY have the best day.

[Kathy in Alaska]

NEW

[Kathy in Alaska]

[radu]

Good night and sleep well.

Hope tomorrow goes smoothly (it’s THAT week. UGH!) and that you don’t have any problems on those slick roads!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good morning/afternoon/evening/night Troops, wherever you are.

Thank you for doing your part to help keep all of us free and safe.

Thanks, unique, for the pastries.

Coffee is always on........

How about a donut?

Cookies?

Fruit?

Pizza?

[Kathy in Alaska]

God bless and keep safe our troops worldwide.

Good night.

Statler Brothers ~ How Great Thou Art

[E.G.C.]

Monday Morning Coffee Bump.

Thanks Kathy. Bo found a turtle on Saturday. Thankfully we made it through the weekend storms without any loss of power. Nice weather yesterday. A little cool this morning.

[luvie]

Howdy, EGC! (((hugs)))

All is well here in Ft. Worth. It’s a bit chilly, but I kind of like it! I’ll be home in a few hours.

Hope you and Bo had a fun weekend and that he got to play with some critters along the way! Have a good day today! I am guessing, since you are online, that the tornadoes missed y’all.

[luvie]

On my way back home this morning!
It was a wonderful weekend that was too short!
Made a stop in Ft. Worth for the night...
...thank you SO much, lauren!
Hope you get home safely, too!
And hope you get a chance to rest for a while!
See y'all tonight!
((((hugs))))