America was just entering the 1st World War when 102nd Infantry, 26th Yankee Division was doing combat training at Yale University in 1917. A short tail dog of an unknown breed, possibly a mix Boston Terrier and Pit Bull or even a pure American Pit Bull terrier was found by Private John Robert Conroy. He named the dog Stubby.
Stubby soon became the unit’s mascot and learned the bugle calls and drills. He even learned to salute by placing his right paw on his right eyebrow. He shouldn’t have been allowed to stay at camp, but was because he increased morale.
When the division shipped out to France on the SS Minnesota he was smuggled on board. When discovered once in France he was allowed to stay with the unit after giving a salute to the Commanding Officer.
Due to an injury he suffered from gas exposure he became very sensitive to gas. One night as the company slept they were attacked by gas, but Stubby was able to alert the men saving many lives. He also was able to find wounded men who spoke English allowing rescuers to bring them back to the trenches.
He even once discovered a sleeping German soldier and bit the soldier attacking him until others arrived. For his Capture of a enemy soldier he was made a Sgt.
Even after the War ended he was a famous dog. While J. Robert Conroy was studying Law at Georgetown University Sgt Stubby became the mascot of the Hoyas. Sgt. Stubby died on March 16, 1926. His body can be seen on display at the Smithsonian, still wearing his special jacket which displays all of his medals.