Corsican Dog Names

Stubby was the official mascot of the 102nd Infantry Rangers. However, in the beginning, Stubby was just a stray. Private J. Robert Conroy found the pup in July of 1917 running around the Yale University campus. The private and his fellow soldiers had been training at the location before they were deployed to Francy. An immediate bond formed between Stubby and Conroy. Eventually, after training, the soldiers were ready to set sail for Europe. Conroy could not bear the idea of leaving Stubby behind so he smuggled him beneath his coat onto the ship which was headed for Saint-Nazaire. 

Unfortunately, it didn't take Conroy's commanding officer long to find the smuggled dog. However, when the commander confronted the pooch, Stubby immediately saluted him (a trick Conroy had trained the dog to do). The salute melted the commander's heart. Once the regiment arrived in France, Stubby followed the soldiers everywhere. On February 5, 1918, the small dog experienced combat at Chemin des Dames. The regiment was shelled heavily every day for over 30 days. 

After a reprieve from the shelling, the German army again launched an offensive. Over 650 soldiers were killed and more than 100 taken captive. Stubby took shrapnel in his chest and leg from a grenade. However, the dog recovered and was able to help boost morale in the hospital of the other wounded soldiers. Eventually, Stubby again returned to the front. Stubby acted bravely on many occasions. One time, a German soldier tried to run away, but the dog bit his legs so that the soldier tripped and fell. Stubby continued the attack until the soldiers arrived. For capturing an enemy spy, Stubby was given the rank of Sergeant. He was the first dog to ever receive a rank in the United States Armed Forces. 

In 1919, Stubby returned to the USA. The dog was considered a celebrity, and he led many parades. Stubby also met three presidents: Wilson, Harding, and Coolidge. The picturesque pooch was also on the cover of numerous magazines. The French newspaper La Presse stated,  "He's probably the most decorated dog in the world, wearing an embroidered overcoat with allied colors, which is pinned with its many decorations, Stubby … must be very proud because dogs have their self-esteem." Stubby passed away in his master Conroy's arms in 1926.