Stories
Sergeant Stubby: The Stray Dog Who Became a World War I Hero
- •Sergeant Stubby, a stray dog, wandered onto Yale University grounds in 1917 and later served in World War I, becoming one of the most famous military animals.
- •He was secretly taken to France by Corporal James Robert Conroy and impressed his commanding officer with a salute, allowing him to stay with the unit.
- •Stubby served 18 months on the Western Front, participating in 17 battles, warning of gas attacks, locating wounded soldiers, and sensing artillery fire.
- •He famously helped capture a German soldier, leading to his nomination for the rank of sergeant.
- •After the war, Stubby became a celebrity, met three US presidents, was the mascot for Georgetown University's football team, and his story inspired a 2018 animated film.
Key Questions Answered
Stubby was a stray dog who wandered onto the Yale University grounds in July 1917 while the US Army’s 102nd Infantry Regiment was training. Corporal James Robert Conroy grew fond of him and secretly smuggled him aboard the troop ship bound for France.
Stubby spent about 18 months on the Western Front participating in 17 battles and four offensives, where he warned soldiers of mustard gas and located wounded men. His actions earned him the rank of sergeant along with multiple honors, including a gold medal and two Purple Hearts.
Stubby returned to the United States in 1918, became a celebrity, participated in parades, met three US presidents, and served as Georgetown University's football mascot. He died in his sleep in March 1926, and his preserved body was placed in the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History.
