Sometimes the bravest are also the furriest.
Sergeant Stubby
Sergeant Stubby earned his rank as the most decorated war dog of World War I. This tiny terrier met combat in 17 battles in the trenches of France, warned his unit of multiple incoming poison gas and mortar attacks, located his wounded comrades on the battlefield, and even captured a German spy!
Library Of Congress
Lex
Lex and his handler, Corporal Dustin J. Lee of the United States Marine Corps, deployed to Iraq in late November 2006 as an explosive detection and patrol team. Tragically, Lee was killed just weeks prior his 21st birthday when insurgents attacked his forward operating base. Despite being wounded by shrapnel, Lex refused to leave Lee's side until the medic arrived to administer aid.
Simon
Simon was a ship's cat who served on the Royal Navy's HMS Amethyst. This brave cat sustained wounds after the ship was caught between the Chinese Civil War in 1949. The crew didn't think that Simon would make it through the night, but the cat carried on, boosting moral by hunting the rats who were overrunning the damaged ship. Simon eventually succumbed to his wounds and was awarded the Animal Victoria Cross, the Dickin Medal, and the Blue Cross medal for his bravery.
Getty Images
Smoky
Smoky was a Yorkshire Terrier that weighed only 4 pounds and served in the Pacific theater during World War II. After being found by an American soldier in a New Guinea fox hole, Smoky tagged along into 12 combat missions, survived 150 air raids, and was awarded 8 battle stars!
