Buzz
Humans have always had a deep affinity for recognition. Our quest for medals and awards often drives us to extraordinary lengths. In contrast, animals typically don’t seek accolades. However, on rare occasions, their acts of exceptional bravery have compelled us to reward them with medals.
Here are ten animals that have been recognized with prestigious awards by their human counterparts.
10. Magawa
Rats don’t usually receive much admiration. Yet, this year, a rat named Magawa was honored with a gold medal for 'lifesaving bravery and dedication to duty.' Magawa is a giant pouched rat tasked with the dangerous job of detecting landmines in Cambodia. With the ability to smell out explosives but being too light to trigger them, Magawa has cleared an area equivalent to 20 football fields.
Cambodia is home to millions of landmines, and countless lives have been lost to their deadly explosions. Even with advanced technology, detecting these mines is a slow and hazardous process. Magawa works for just half an hour every morning, earning a small treat in return, and identifies landmines that would otherwise keep his human colleagues occupied all day long.
Magawa is soon retiring, but other rats are being trained to continue his vital work. If they maintain the high standard, they too could be awarded a golden medal.
9. William Windsor
Not every animal given high honors lives up to the expectations set by humans. Since the reign of Queen Victoria, the 1st Battalion Royal Welch of the British Army has received a goat as their official mascot. In 2001, they welcomed goat army number 25232301, also known as William 'Billy' Windsor. This goat not only serves as a mascot but is also an active member of the military, having earned the rank of Lance Corporal.
With his rank, any soldier who outranked him had to stand at attention as Billy trotted by. Unfortunately, during his first overseas assignment, Billy did not display the usual military discipline. He ignored a direct order from his superior and wandered out of formation, resulting in his demotion to Fusilier.
Billy eventually regained his rank and retired from his post. Besides the honor of his position, Billy enjoyed other privileges. Every day, he was given two cigarettes to eat and a drink of Guinness.
8. Lucca
The Dickin Medal is one of the highest honors animals can receive for their bravery. Awarded by the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) charity, it is only presented to animals that demonstrate extraordinary courage during wartime. Lucca, a dog serving with the United States Marine Corps, was the first American dog to receive this prestigious British award.
During six years of service in Afghanistan, Lucca participated in over 400 patrols. By detecting IEDs that plagued the soldiers in the region, Lucca undoubtedly saved many lives. The last device she uncovered weighed over 30 kg and had massive destructive potential. Just moments later, another explosive went off, injuring Lucca. Sadly, her front leg had to be amputated. After recovering, Lucca was flown to London to receive the Dickin Medal.
Lucca was also honored with a Purple Heart, the medal awarded to U.S. military personnel wounded in battle. In a special, unofficial ceremony, a Marine who had received the Purple Heart twice himself presented it to Lucca.
7. GI Joe
The first American recipient of the Dickin Medal, however, was much earlier and was a pigeon named GI Joe. During the Allied advance in Italy in World War II, the troops moved so rapidly that they found themselves far ahead of their expected position. Upon capturing a village that had previously been under German control, they faced the risk of being bombed by their own planes, as no one anticipated their presence.
With their radio unable to reach the airbase from which the planes were about to launch, the soldiers turned to their final hope – Pigeon USA43SC6390, also known as GI Joe. The pigeon managed to reach the base in time, preventing the bombing and saving over 100 lives.
The citation accompanying the Dickin Medal presented to GI Joe read: 'This bird is credited with making the most outstanding flight by a USA Army pigeon in World War II. Making the 20-mile journey from British 10th Army HQ, in the same number of minutes, it brought a message that arrived just in time to save the lives of at least 100 Allied soldiers from being bombed by their own planes.' After the war, Joe enjoyed a happy and long retirement.
6. Kuno
Dogs have long been regarded as man's best friend, and this reputation holds true on the battlefield as well. Dogs have often risked their lives to protect their handlers. One such dog, named Kuno, endured immense pain when he threw himself into a confrontation with an al-Qaeda gunman.
Kuno was serving alongside the elite Royal Navy's Special Boat Service when they launched an assault on an insurgent compound. The team was pinned down by machine gun fire and grenades, rendering them unable to advance. Kuno charged at one of the gunmen, allowing his human teammates to successfully capture the target. Unfortunately, Kuno was shot in both of his back legs but was rescued and carried to safety.
One portion of Kuno's leg had to be amputated, making him the first British forces dog to receive custom-made prosthetic legs. Now in retirement, Kuno is often seen running around, and he is among the latest recipients of the Dickin Medal.
The British Defence Secretary remarked, 'Without Kuno, the course of this operation could have been very different, and it’s clear he saved the lives of British personnel that day.'
5. Reckless
The United States Marine Corps has officially granted a rank to an animal only once. During the Korean War, a pack horse named Reckless climbed the ranks to attain the title of Sergeant.
Reckless was an exceptionally intelligent horse, quick to pick up her training. When her comrades called out 'Incoming!' she learned to rush to the safety of the bunker. Her handlers taught her to avoid barbed wire and to lie down to evade bullets. However, it was her ability to act independently that earned her the respect and honors of a soldier.
When her Marines were under fire, Reckless made 51 trips back and forth through enemy fire, delivering ammunition and carrying the wounded back to safety. During these trips, Reckless was injured twice by shrapnel. Demonstrating bravery that was unexpected in a horse, she served diligently throughout the battle. One of her comrades remarked, 'Surely an angel must have been riding her.'
Reckless retired with an impressive array of honors, including two Purple Hearts, two Navy Presidential Unit Citations, a Navy Unit Commendation, four Korean Service Medals, and a Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal.
4. Sergeant Stubby
Not all military dogs are large and intimidating. Stubby, true to his name, wasn't a tall dog. In fact, he wasn’t even a purebred with a distinguished lineage. Stubby was discovered wandering around Yale University, where soldiers were training for World War I. He was smuggled aboard a ship headed for Europe and was permitted to stay after he saluted an officer.
For 18 months, Stubby served with the 102nd Infantry Regiment, participating in 17 battles. Stubby was invaluable to his fellow soldiers. With his keen sense of smell, he would alert them to incoming gas attacks. He also barked when he detected German soldiers approaching. As a final duty, he served as a Mercy Dog, locating injured and dying soldiers to offer them comfort.
Stubby sustained injuries during his service but survived the war and went on to live a life of distinction. He met Presidents Wilson, Coolidge, and Harding, and was often featured at the front of parades, where crowds gathered to cheer him on. Perhaps his greatest honor came when he was promoted to Sergeant in the US Army.
3. Cher Ami
Amid the mud, gas, and chaos of World War I, it was all too easy for messages to get lost or never reach their destination. Radio was still in its early stages, telegraph lines were often cut, and roads were filled with craters. When Major Charles White Whittlesey and his 550 men were pinned down, none of the runners they sent with messages requesting help were able to deliver them. Soon, their own side began shelling them, unaware of their location. Whittlesey turned to his carrier pigeons.
Carrier pigeons played such a crucial role in the war effort that British law imposed severe fines or jail time for anyone caught harming one. The first two pigeons sent by the trapped soldiers were shot down. With only 194 men still alive, all their hopes rested on the message entrusted to Cher Ami. 'We are along the road parallel to 276.4. Our own artillery is dropping a barrage directly on us. For heaven’s sake, stop it.'
Hope seemed lost when Cher Ami was struck by a German bullet in the chest. The bird fell to the ground, but miraculously recovered and flew off, carrying its message. The message reached its destination and the soldiers were saved, but Cher Ami was left with one eye blinded and a leg hanging by just a tendon.
Cher Ami received the finest medical treatment available and her life was saved. The bird was awarded one of France’s highest honors, the Croix de Guerre, before being sent back to the United States following a ceremony with General John Pershing.
2. Bucephalus
Alexander the Great was never one to do things in half measures. When he set out to build an empire, he created the largest one the world had ever known. And when it came time to honor his horse, he did so in a manner equally grand.
Bucephalus, Alexander’s loyal horse, was his companion from a young age. Initially offered to Alexander’s father, the horse proved untamable and wild. It was only Alexander, with his youthful courage, who was brave enough to tame him. Upon seeing his son riding the horse, Alexander’s father proclaimed, 'O my son, seek out a kingdom worthy of thyself, for Macedonia is too small for thee.' And indeed, that is what Alexander did.
Bucephalus accompanied Alexander in all of his campaigns. Upon the horse’s death, Alexander ordered not only an elaborate funeral for his devoted companion, but also commanded the founding of a city in Bucephalus’s honor. Alexandria Bucephalous was constructed to the east of the Indus River, at the farthest reaches of Alexander’s empire.
1. Tirpitz the Pig
During World War I, pigs were commonly kept aboard ships as a fresh supply of meat. One such pig was stationed on the German ship SMS Dresden and had little hope of surviving the war. Her fate seemed sealed when the ship became involved in a battle off the Falkland Islands and was sunk.
While most of the German sailors swam for the shore, Tirpitz jumped from the sinking ship and swam toward the British vessels. She was spotted and pulled aboard the HMS Glasgow. There, she was named after the German Admiral von Tirpitz and was awarded a mock Iron Cross for remaining on board the Dresden after the rest of her crew had abandoned the ship.
Now regarded as a mascot for the Glasgow, Tirpitz was treated with great reverence. However, she soon proved to be a handful, breaking into a chicken coop during shore leave. It took ten men to wrestle her back onto the ship. As a result, she was retired from active service and had to find a different role in the British forces.
After being brought to England, Tirpitz was put up for auction with all the proceeds going to the Red Cross. Those interested in purchasing her could meet her at the Grosvenor Hotel. A staggering sum of 400 guineas was paid for her. While little is known about her later years, she was eventually given a final, albeit peculiar, honour. After her death, her head was preserved and put on display at the Imperial War Museum in London.
