FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: NEMO ~ 23 October 2023

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[Kathy in Alaska]

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~ Hall of Heroes ~

Nemo

Info from 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! 

 

[The Mayor]

October 23

Surrendering to God

Bible in a Year:

• Jeremiah 1–2
• 1 Timothy 3

Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this.

Psalm 37:5 God doesn’t help those who help themselves; He helps those who trust in and rely on Him. Jonathan Roumie—the actor who plays Jesus in the successful TV series The Chosen, which is based on the Gospels—realized this in May 2018. Roumie had been living in Los Angeles for eight years, was nearly broke, had enough food just for the day, and had no work in sight. Not knowing how he would make it, the actor poured out his heart and surrendered his career to God. “I literally [prayed] the words, ‘I surrender. I surrender.’ ” Later that day, he found four checks in the mail and three months later, he was cast for the role of Jesus in The Chosen. Roumie found that God will help those who trust in Him.

Rather than being envious of and fretting over those “who are evil” (Psalm 37:1), the psalmist invites us to surrender everything to God. When we center our daily activities on Him, “trust in [Him] and do good,” “take delight in [Him]” (vv. 3–4), and surrender to Him all our desires, problems, anxieties, and the daily events of our lives, God will direct us and give us peace (vv. 5–6). As believers in Jesus, it’s vital for us to let Him determine what our lives should be.

Let’s surrender and trust God. As we do, He’ll take action and do what’s necessary and best. .

Reflect & Pray

What parts of your life are off limits to God these days? What will it mean for you to surrender your life to Him today?

Dear God, please help me to surrender to You freely today and experience Your life and peace.

[left that other site]

Hi Everybody!
((HUGS))

[Kathy in Alaska]

~ Hall of Heroes: NEMO ~

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[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Mayor, and thank you for today’s sustenance for body and soul.

Hope you got lots of rest on the weekend and your ducks are all lined out for the coming week.

I’m working on getting mine lined up.

[radu]

Greetings to all at the Canteen!

To all our military men and women, past and present,

THANK YOU
for your service!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, ML...((HUGS))...hope you and Tippy and Blue had some fun times this weekend.

It’s been in the mid 20s here, but finally dry for a few days.

[radu]

Howdy, Kathy.

Back yard all cleaned up today? Looks like it’s still pretty nippy to be outside. Makes me shiver seeing ice on the lake. It’s getting an early start this year.

[PROCON]

Hi Kathy and thanks for tonight’s Canteen which honors the very remarkable and heroic dog, Nemo.

[left that other site]

Indeed! I had a lovely ride today. I didn’t go anywhere special, just rode around and looked at the leaves.

Tippy is looking forward to her daily walks, which have turned into Training Sessions.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Hello Veterans, wherever you are!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

In the mid 20s...LOTS of the leaves have ice on them, and are heavy. I did get the leaves raked that I wanted done. The backyard is pretty much unused, and has been for years, as the parents, and me, were/are pretty unstable trying to navigate the uneven grass. It IS used by the ducks.

[Kathy in Alaska]

He was indeed remarkable.

I see you survived the Washington game...you are here. LOL!

[vetvetdoug]

Leo...first German Shepherd killed in the Korean War. He is honored at Tokorozawa (sp) Marine Base, Japan.

[vetvetdoug]

I served with several 908 Vet techs that cared for Nemo in Viet Nam and Lackland AFB. Nemo passed away a few months before I became a USAF Vet tech and he was well known.

[luvie]

Dogs like Nemo and this guardian
Are real living breathing heroes!

[radu]

Darn. Got cold before the leaves dried out. That stinks. You didn’t need the extra weight of ice while you were dealing with them today. At least it’s done and they won’t be there waiting for you next spring when the snow melts. LOL

I hear ya on uneven grass/yards. I have to be careful when walking around certain areas of my yard for that reason.
Let the little critters and birds have them. LOL

Was the injured lady duck there today?

[Kathy in Alaska]

I was just out there...haven’t seen her today....darn!

[radu]

Howdy, PRO.

I hope your weekend’s been good. Weather nice enough for getting out and about ...... or doing some little chores Robin’s dreamed up for you to do? LOL

It’s been a beautiful fall weekend here, other than being dusty as heck due to all the harvesting going on. I’ll be glad when THAT’S done!

[radu]

At least you saw her yesterday after a brief absence so she must have another place she’s getting food. We can hope anyway.