Chips was the most decorated American war dog from World War II. Chips was a German Shepherd-Collie-Siberian Husky mix, owned by Edward J Wren of New York state.
Shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Dogs for Defense was (DFD) was established. During the war, private citizens like Edward Wren would donate their dogs for war duty. Chips shipped out in 1942 for training as a sentry dog. He served with the 3rd Infantry Division in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, France and Germany. His handler was Pvt. John P. Rowell.
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| Chips the Dog |
Chips served as a sentry dog for the Roosevelt-Churchill conference in 1943. Later that year, during the invasion of Sicily, Chips and his handler were pinned down on the beach by an Italian machine-gun team. Chips broke from his handler and jumped into the pillbox, attacking the gunners. The four crewmen were forced to leave the pillbox and surrendered to US troops. In the fight he sustained a scalp wound and powder burns. Later that day, he helped take 10 Italians prisoner. On one occasion, Chips alerted to an impending ambush. Then, with a phone cable attached to his collar, Chips ran back to base, dodging gunfire so that the endangered platoon could establish a communications line and ask for the backup they so desperately needed.
For his actions during the war, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, and Purple Heart. Chips was a true hero -- but his Silver Star for valor and a Purple Heart were taken away because he was categorized as mere "equipment". His unit unofficially awarded him a Theater Ribbon with an Arrowhead for an assault landing, and Battlestars for each of his eight campaigns. Chips was discharged in December 1945 and returned to the Wren family.
Today we salute the memory of Chips - his hard won battle honours taken away by the government he served.
Yip Yap.
XX Poppy and Abbey
Hi Poppy
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog. It's lovely to meet you. You must try and let me know if you are ever on the stretch of the canal between Birmingham and Derby. You will often see us walking along the towpaths of Burton-on-Trent. There's a BIG waterways festival soon at Shobnall Basin. We often walk there.
Your blog is going to be a really interesting one for me to follow, because the Lady Of The House writes about famous pets sometimes on her website http://www.lostandfond.co.uk. I know she'd love it if you had a look and let us know what you thought about it.
Love and licks, Winnie
Hi Winnie.
ReplyDeleteWe did call by your website and have a look. We are now new readers as well.
Take care.
Poppy and Abbie
Yip Yap!
Ciao Poppy! Reading this post made me remember that I once read an article about Airedale Terriers used during WWI. There's also a 2006 BBC documentary about Colonel Edwin Richardson, a british breeder who was the first to introduce Airedales and other dogs in the military. It's a nice idea you wrote posts about celebrity dogs, terriers are sure the best!Aren't we?
ReplyDeleteHello Poppy! I hope you're having a grand adventure.
ReplyDeleteNubbin wiggles,
Oskar
Hello to Eubie and Oscar.
ReplyDeleteWe are having a good time on the boat. Lots of things to do and see.
Take Care
Poppy and Abbey