DateSent
= Thu Jul 15 21:38:23 PDT 1999
Handler = Yes
Dates of Service = Nov 68-Nov69
Username = Clinton J Huckins
Rank/Division = GMG2 NSA Danang
Dog Breed = German Shepherd
Post Info = Yes
Service Type = Navy
UserEmail = chuckins@redshift.com
Dog Name = Rickie
DateSent
= Sat Jul 17 06:04:51 PDT 1999
Comments = I am a civilian female who has always felt that the people
who served in Viet Nam have gotten the "short end of the stick" from
our Governmental agencies. After
seeing the War Dogs video for the first time, I am absolutely appalled at how
badly our government used those dogs who probably wanted nothing more than to
come home with their handlers. Leaving
them over there was abandonment -- we have laws against that in the U.S. Is there any movement underway to attempt to change
governmental policy regarding classifying animals used in combat as
"equipment"? I am not
an animal activist, but as a dog lover, I would be willing to contact
legislators, the Pentagon, the President, any group of people, or even try God
Almighty if it would help to change the narrow minded policies of the people
in charge. Let me know if I can
help!
Username = Lois
Post Info = Yes
UserEmail = jfighter@portup.com
DateSent
= Mon Jul 19 21:29:13 PDT 1999
Handler = yes
Comments = I came to Phan Rang with Bing from Walker AFB in Roswell New
Mexico, we were awarded a commendation medal for heroism in a fire fight, I
volunteered for a transfer to go north with Capt. Sullivan to secure Phu Cat.
Bing became ill and had to be put to sleep. Hes buried at Phu Cat, I went to
Japan and recieved Rocky and returned to Phu Cat, Rocky and I killed a VC, and
captured one, Airmen Peacock wounded one that night. I was nominated for a
bronze star but reduced to a commendation medal with a oak leaf cluster after
I refused to blow up a majors air matress. I was kennel man for quiet a while
after that. I miss Rocky and have worried about how he died for the last 30
years. If anyone knows please let me know at ducknose@msn.com. Capt Sullivan
got into trouble for painting a sign at Phu Cat the 37th Security Police
"we have killed". He was a hell of a commander and i will always
respect him.
Dates of Service = February 1966-February 1967
Username = Larry M Gandy
UserFAX = 702-222-1687
Rank/Division = E-4 37th Security
Police K-9
Web Site = N/A
Dog Breed = German Shepherd
Post Info = Yes
Service Type = Air Force
UserEmail = Ducknose@msn.com
Dog Name = Bing and Rockie
DateSent
= Wed Jul 21 06:44:28 PDT 1999
Handler = no
Comments = I know I wasn't there to experience the atrocities committed in
this horrible war, but I remember hearing the stories and learning about the
shameful way the vets were treated upon returning to the land they love and
fought for in the first place. What
I wasn't aware of until now is the way that the dogs were treated.
It's strange that no history book or class ever mentions the dogs in
combat, the lives they saved, nor the dedication with which they served.
In
my personal opinion, the fact that the dogs were left behind only shows the
true brutality of the war that was fought, and it shows the insensitivity of
our government towards the vets that served America, canine and human.
I've been spurred to new heights of disgust in my feelings against
war,and this one in particular. Thank
you for making the public aware. To
those handlers who couldn't save their best friends:>
I'm so sorry, and I pray that each of your dogs found peace during the
following days and years. I also
pray that you each have come to terms living without them at your side. As many of you have stated, you don't go a day without
thinking of your friends and stalwart companions.
I'm sure that they all have gone onwards to a much better place where
they are waiting to be reunited with you across the rainbow bridge.
God bless all of you and may no one ever forget the cost it took and
still takes and will take to keep the freedom we all have come to love.
Sincerely,
Andrea M. Stansbury
Dates of Service = N/A
Username = Andrea Stansbury
Rank/Division = N/A
Dog Breed = n/a
Service Type = Other
UserEmail = iria2000@netscape.net
DateSent
= Thu Jul 22 13:41:10 PDT 1999
Handler = yes
Comments = I would just like to say that I am glad it is over and thatI hope
it will never happen again. I don't want to lose another dog, not the way they
were treated by the military at the end of the war. I still think about Rinny
& G.I. and would like to know their fate.
Dates of Service = 2-70 thru 10-77
Username = Brian Noonan
Rank/Division = SSgt 7th SPS,
635th SPS
Dog Breed = Shepard
Post Info = Yes
Service Type = Air Force
UserEmail = bnoonan127@aol.com
Dog Name = King,Rinny,G.I.
DateSent
= Thu Jul 22 18:55:12 PDT 1999
Dates of Service = Aug 71 -
Service Type = Air Force
DateSent = Thu Jul 22 19:00:37 PDT 1999
Handler = yes
Comments = The four years I worked with Patrol Dogs were some of the best
memories I have. Even got ate up by Duke(must have been a personality
conflict) Sport was my best dog.
Have many slides and pics. Stationed at Anderson AFB, Guam the main staging
base for B52 bombers.
Dates of Service = Aug 71 - Aug 75
Username = James Himes
Rank/Division = AMN- Sgt
Dog Breed = Shepherd
Post Info = Yes
Service Type = Air Force
UserEmail = oharng1@juno.com/arngoh@email.msn.com
Dog Name = Snoopy, Duke,Lobo,Gorilla,Sport,Captain
DateSent
= Tue Jul 27 11:20:43 PDT 1999
Handler = Yes
Comments = I trained dogs at the war dog school, Camp Lejeune. Our dogs were used in many assignments including sentry duty
for President Roosevelt who loved the dogs.
The dogs were also used in many campaigns in the Pacific including
Guadacanal, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. The
Marine Corps handled its dogs differently in that all living dogs were brought
back to Camp Lejeune and returned to the original owners unless refused in
which case the dogs were put to sleep. I
was lucky and obtained ownership of Rex,
my buddy and protector, when the Marine Corps sent him to my home in 1946.
I raised 4 sons with Rex who all loved him dearly.
I finally had to put him down in 1955 at age 12.
A huge part of my heart went with Rex but I know my faithful protector
will rest in eternal peace with his job well done.
I'll always treasure the memories of the little neighbors knocking on
my door and asking if Mr Moore and Rex could come out and play.
Many thanks to all of those who organized and led this effort to honor
our canine heroes who had no control over their destinies but performed with
complete loyalty and valor, often at the cost of their own lives.
Many thanks also to those who have displayed their support for this
effort. Finally I would like to
hear from any former handler buddies - Ike Eisenhower (last know address - NC); Jack Meehan (Phil, PA); Frank Winterling (Balt, MD);
Cliff Meddins (NJ). Hope they are
all still living and well. Yours
Truly, Jack Moore.
Dates of Service = 1944-1946
Username = John C. Moore
Rank/Division = PFC,War Dog Co, FMFP
Dog Breed = Belgian Sheperd
Post Info = Yes
Service Type = Marines
UserEmail = dtmoore@erols.com
Dog Name = Rex
DateSent
= Thu Jul 29 21:35:29 PDT 1999
Handler = yes
Comments = Shack was killed in an
ambush on our last mission in Jan. 69
Dates of Service = Aug. 67 to sept.69
Rank/Division = E-5, Sgt., 43rd IPSD, 9th Inf. Di
Dog Breed = german shepard
Post Info = Yes
Service Type = Army
UserEmail = sdixon4010@aol.com
Dog Name = SHACK
DateSent
= Fri Jul 30 21:05:34 PDT 1999
Handler = yes
Comments = I spent two tours in Thailand. One in Korat and Then in Udorn. My
dog Grey once pulled 180 yard alert into some bushes that lead me to two Thai
Guards off post, all I saw was the outline of their weapons. At the time I was
new in-country. They'll never know how close they came to death that night. At
Udorn my dog Dunker alerted on a 5'2" Cobra. My supervisor came out and
caught it. He then told me that they always traveled in pairs. I had a 6 cell
flashlight, and I killed all 6 cells looking for that other snake.
Dates of Service = 68-69 388th SPS Korat,69-70 432 SPS Udorn
Username = Steve Wright
Rank/Division = E-1-E-4
Dog Breed = Shepard
UserEmail = swrightdav@att.net
Dog Name = Grey & Dunker
Branch / Service Dates
/ Rank / Unit / Handler / Breed / Dogs Name / Notes / Contact
DateSent
= Fri Jul 30 21:05:34 PDT 1999
Handler = no
Comments = Did not serve as a handler while I was in 'Nam, but I do now, with
a civilian Search and Rescue group. Border Collie, Phantom. Smart and FAST! I
remember driving in the Main Gate at Long Binh one afternoon, and the MP's had
a building just inside the gate. Standing
outside with his handler was the BIGGEST godamned German Shephard I've ever
seen, even to this day! He would have towered over a Wolfhound... Probably
weighed more than Charlie!
Dates of Service = MAR70 - MAR71
Username = Dave Polmon
Rank/Division = SP5 1st Sig. Bgd.
Web Site = www.CCSAR.org
Post Info = Yes
Service Type = Army
UserEmail = DPolmon@juno.com
DateSent
= Mon Aug 9 08:44:46 PDT 1999
Comments = SHARE YOUR DOG'S STORY WITH THE NATION. DOCUMENTARY FILM
PRODUCER FOR PUBLIC TELEVISION WOULD LIKE TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR DOG!!!
I HAVE BEEN ASKED TO FIND SOMEONE TO TELL THE STORY OF A "WAR
DOG" FROM THE VIETNAM WAR FOR A SERIES ABOUT "WORKING DOGS".
THIS STORY MUST BE INCLUDED IN THE SERIES! WOULD LIKE TO FIND SOMEONE
WHO IS NOT AFRAID TO SHOW THEIR EMOTIONS, WHO MIGHT HAVE A DRAMATIC MOMENT TO
SHARE, SOMEONE TO TALK ABOUT THE TYPE OF WORK THESE DOGS DID, THE INCREDIBLE
BOND THAT FORMED, THE PAIN OF LEAVING THEM BEHIND OR SEEING THEM KILLED IN
ACTION.... PLEASE EMAIL, FAX OR
CALL ME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE...
Hildy Rubin
EMAIL hrubin1@aol.com
thank you!
Username = Hildy Rubin
Post Info = Yes
Service Type = Other
UserEmail = hrubin1@aol.com
DateSent
= Thu Aug 12 18:10:10 PDT 1999
Handler = yes
Comments = I was a Sentry Dog Handler in Viet Nam.
My dog's name was Champ, Serial # 7M19.
I was in Viet Nam with Champ from July, 1968 until January, 1969.
USMC Serial #2214395.
Dates of Service = 1/16/66 to 1/17/70
Username = Fred M. Breitenbach
Rank/Division = Corporal 3rd
Marine Div
Dog Breed = GerShep/Husky
Post Info = Yes
Service Type = Marines
UserEmail = Frdbrtnbch@aol.com
Dog Name = Champ -#7M19
DateSent
= Thu Aug 12 20:39:59 PDT 1999
Handler = yes
Dates of Service = dec 68 - dec69
Username = Don Jestes
Rank/Division = E-4 101st Abn
Dog Breed = shepherd
Post Info = Yes
Service Type = Army
UserEmail = dgj002@aol.com
UserTel = 410-465-7713
Dog Name = Rebel X202
DateSent
= Thu Aug 12 20:54:31 PDT 1999
Handler = yes
Comments = 47th Scout Dog Plt..Its heart warming to see so many warm comments
about Vietnam Vets and especially dog handlers..it was extremly painful to
come home to such a cold and thankless attiude..finally we can feel a little
better about doing what we did,,,
Dates of Service = dec 68 - dec69
Username = Don Jestes
Rank/Division = E-4 101st Abn
Dog Breed = shepherd
Post Info = Yes
Service Type = Army
UserEmail = dgj002@aol.com
Dog Name = Rebel X202
DateSent
= Sun Aug 15 09:17:37 PDT 1999
Handler = Yes
Comments = Being a handler, the documentary brought many a memory back to me.
The cold lonely nights while on sentry duty
with my four legged partner was a great comfort to me. He and I had many a
"conversation" and he was always a good listener.
Dates of Service = 1971 - 1980
Username = Alan M. Nutes
Rank/Division = SSG, Military Police
Dog Breed = Shepherd
Post Info = Yes
Service Type = Army
UserEmail = pegasus@warwiick.net
Dog Name = Rusty 8X48
DateSent
= Mon Aug 16 23:54:32 PDT 1999
Handler = Yes
Comments = Anyone stationed in Phu Cat K-9 corp during 69-70 I'm hoping to
hear from you. "War Dogs" has opened a flood of memories.
Thank you Bullet!
Dates of Service = 10/69 -10/70
Username = Gary Osborn
Rank/Division = E-2
Dog Breed = German Shepard
Post Info = Yes
Service Type = Air Force
UserEmail = garyo96@cris.com
Dog Name = Bullet
DateSent
= Tue Aug 17 05:55:50 PDT 1999
Comments = I live in New Zealand and tonight cried my way through the
war dogs documentary. My heart bleeds for the handlers who had to leave their
loyal friends behind. Having survived the unimaginable experience of the war
and then to have to bear the great sadness of having your own people utterly
disrespect the enormous contribution these magnificent dogs made is insanity.
I cry for the lives of people and war dogs who died. I cry for the lives that
were irreparably changed by the war. Telling handlers who had come out the
other side of the war with their dogs that the dogs they loved were not coming
home was utter and needless cruelty. It seems like unfathomable suffering
poured on top of suffering. My heart goes out to you all who were there
handlers or not. I wish with my heart that all of the things that are good in
life, that make some sort of sense of this world come your way in abundance.
Post Info = Yes
Service Type = Other
DateSent
= Wed Aug 18 01:31:38 PDT 1999
Handler = no
Comments = I did not take part in the Vietnam War, I was not even born
yet....... I watched this documentary last night on T.V(N.Z) and was shocked
and disgusted with how the government could leave behind 'heroes' who saved
the lives of many soldiers............I learnt about the Vietnam war in school
but never did I learn or hear of the dogs.
These dogs and dog-handlers need to be recognized!!
Words cannot describe the feelings inside me after watching this
documentaryand let alone the feelings felt by the dog handlers(which is beyond
mine). To all the dog handlers that were in this documentary and those who
were not in it.....my sympathies are with you.
Stay strong, be strong. I
thank you for sharing your story with the world.....I know you have and you
will find support with many viewers. I couldn't find any way of contacting the
people behind the documentary but thank you for allowing this story to be
told.
God Bless.....
Username = Sela
Service Type = Other
UserEmail = sela78@yahoo.com
DateSent = Sat Aug 21 01:57:54 PDT 1999
Handler = na
Comments = Dogs should not be used in human conflicts. Certainly not when
we're unable to afford them any level of loyalty equivalent to their own. It's
bad enough so many other animals have to indiscriminently suffer when our
battlefields invade their homes. Let alone our producing any well trained
fodder.
Dates of Service = Never served
Username = netstalker
Rank/Division = nil
Dog Breed = na
Service Type = Other
UserEmail = netsysbox@yahoo.com
Dog Name = na
DateSent
= Sat Aug 21 16:54:57 PDT 1999
Handler = no
Comments = I am a military wife. My
husband is both prior service and currently serving as a Military police
officer. His goal is to become a
K-9 officer. We would like very
much to create a page to memorialize both the dogs that served and are serving
along with their handlers. We
have owned and currently own german shephards.
Any help that anyone could give us with this would be deeply
appreciated. We would love stories, pictures, or just anything that you
could offer would mean so much to us. We
feel like the accolades have been long overdue for both the dogs and their
handlers. Please contact us and
help us try to show them how much they are truly appreciated. Thanks
Username = Stephani and James
Rank/Division = Army, Mp, currently serving..prior service from 1988-1992
Web Site = http://www.angelfire.com/la2/wildflower/index.html
Service Type = Army
UserEmail = mpmom258@yahoo.com
DateSent
= Fri Aug 27 17:59:22 PDT 1999
Handler = Yes
Comments = Served with the 38th
assigened to the 1 and 27
Wolfhounds I have been in contact with a
few of the men that server with me after
30 + years really enjoy hearing from anyone that servered with us
Dates of Service = 1967-1968
Username = Jerry Suitor
Rank/Division = Sgt E-5 38th Scout Dog Platoon
25th Infantry Division Cu Chi Vietnam
Web Site = http://www.neto.com/jsuitor/top.htm
Dog Breed = Quarter German Shepheard
Service Type = Army
UserEmail = jsuitor@neto.com
Dog Name = Paddy IX85
DateSent
= Sat Aug 28 02:06:03 PDT 1999
Comments = Being born female and too late and living at the bottom of
the South Pacific (NZ) meant I did not serve. But I have to leave my comments
on the documentary that left me feeling wretched and distressed for both the
dogs and the men. I am part of a rescue team that has a dog search team
attached to it. Watching the dogs work at practice nights leaves me in awe at
the intelligence of these wonderful creatures. They delight in pleasing us and
never fail to find the "victims". We humans are privileged to share
this planet which such selfless animals.
Service Type = Other
