| Analysts estimate as many as ten thousand U.S. and allied lives were saved during the Vietnam War alone. The casualty rates in all other wars were significantly reduced by thousands as a result of deploying our four–footed soldiers! Although a precise number would be impossible, here is just one example. The following comes from Combat Lessons Learned Bulletin # 17 dated 12 August 1967 and is in the archives at the Combined Arms Research Library, United States Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
“On 14 January 1967, Sgt. Peters and scout dog Prince 5A07 of the 39th Scout Dog Platoon, 173rd Airborne Brigade, were on a search and destroy operation in the “Iron Triangle” when Prince alerted on a concealed tunnel entrance at 30 meters. RESULTS: 100 pounds of rice, four radio sets, medical supplies, 40 antitank mines, 160 pounds of explosives, and 2,400 blasting caps were captured and destroyed”
This was only 25 miles northwest of Saigon and had the dog not alerted on these hidden munitions, it is safe to assume that casualties would have been high. This was but one day for one of the over 4,000 dogs in Vietnam. |
Looking Back with Honor
Military dogs and their handlers played increasingly critical roles as the Vietnam War escalated. The dogs first served as sentries to guard U.S. and South Vietnamese installations. After full mobilization in Vietnam, American soldiers in all branches of the military relied upon the dogs to combat the unconventional guerilla warfare fought by the Viet Cong. Dogs were typically trained in specialties; some could detect enemy personnel, others booby traps, mines, tunnels, or weapon caches — all to protect their troops and handlers.
During the war, military records documenting the number of dogs in service or those that were killed or missing in action were minimal at best. In fact, prior to 1969, no records were kept.
"By researching the records that do exist and through interviews with many of the handlers who served in Vietnam, we have been able to document at least 4,000 war dogs that served during the war, but there were probably many more," said Tom Mitchell, chairman of the Vietnam Dog Handlers Association (VDHA). "Our collective research also indicates that these heroic dogs were responsible for saving a minimum of 10,000 Americans from death or injury, but again, that number in reality is probably significantly higher than the records show."
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