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From the article . . .

“But they are adaptive, as the story of the most famous BT shows. Tenacity is a trait these terriers are known for. An example is a mixed BT named “Sgt. Stubby,” the first dog to be given rank, and highest decorated canine to ever serve in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Sgt. Stubby served as the mascot of the 102nd Infantry Yankee Division in WWI. A display in the Smithsonian National Museum of American History tells the detailed story of his heroics, which can be found on the internet at americanhistory.si.edu/militaryhistory/collection/object.asp?ID=15.

Sgt. Stubby learned the bugle calls, the drills, and even a modified dog salute with his right paw on his right eyebrow.

Smuggled into France aboard the SS Minnesota by Private J. Robert Conroy, Sgt. Stubby raised the morale of the troops and won over Conroy’s commanding officer when he saluted him.

Stubby, the official mascot of the Division, fought alongside his division members in the front lines in France.

He was exposed to nerve gas, which left him sensitive to the tiniest trace of the chemical. When the Division was attacked in an early morning gas attack, most of the troops were asleep. Stubby recognized the gas and ran through the trench barking and biting at the soldiers, rousing them to sound the gas alarm.

He’d listen for English speaking men in the trenches, then would lead paramedics to the location of wounded men, saving many lives. When he heard Germans speaking, he’d lead U.S. forces to them.

“He caught a German soldier mapping out the layout of the Allied trenches. The soldier called to Stubby, but he put his ears back and began to bark. As the German ran, Stubby bit him on the legs, causing the soldier to trip and fall. He continued to attack the man until the American soldiers arrived,” according to the Smithsonian.

Sgt. Stubby was later injured during a grenade attack, and by the end of the war had served in 17 battles. The highly decorated dog later visited with presidents Woodrow Wilson, Warren Harding and Calvin Coolidge. Gen. John Pershing presented him with a gold medal for his service to his country.

He was awarded many medals for his heroism, and eventually became the mascot of the Georgetown Hoyas. He would be given the football at halftime and would nudge the ball around the field.
He died in 1926, and his mounted body, complete with coat and medals are part of the exhibit “The Price of Freedom: Americans at War” exhibit at the Smithsonian.