U.S. forces employed thousands of animals during World War II. They could
be found in every theater of the war: They were workers and warriors; they were
soldiers' comrades-in-arms and companions in battle.
Horses, mules, and dogs were regularly employed by American forces to work on
the battlefields of World War II. Horses carried soldiers on patrol missions in
Europe and into battle in the Philippines. Mules, trained in the United States
and shipped by the thousands into war zones, contributed their strength and
sweat to the fight. Their backs bore the food, weapons, and sometimes the men of
entire infantry units.
Around twenty thousand dogs served the U.S. Army, Coast Guard, and Marine Corps.
They guarded posts and supplies, carried messages, and rescued downed pilots.
Scout dogs led troops through enemy territory, exposing ambushes and saving the
lives of platoons of men. In the middle of combat, war dogs proved their
intelligence, courage, and steadfast loyalty time and time again
During both World Wars, the United States and United Kingdom assembled
special pigeon service units that contained tens of thousands of birds. More than 16,000
homing pigeons were parachuted into Europe during World War II, including Gustav
(known as bird NPS.42.31066), who flew more than 150 miles back to
England on D-Day to deliver the first word of the Normandy landings.
be found in every theater of the war: They were workers and warriors; they were
soldiers' comrades-in-arms and companions in battle.
Horses, mules, and dogs were regularly employed by American forces to work on
the battlefields of World War II. Horses carried soldiers on patrol missions in
Europe and into battle in the Philippines. Mules, trained in the United States
and shipped by the thousands into war zones, contributed their strength and
sweat to the fight. Their backs bore the food, weapons, and sometimes the men of
entire infantry units.
Around twenty thousand dogs served the U.S. Army, Coast Guard, and Marine Corps.
They guarded posts and supplies, carried messages, and rescued downed pilots.
Scout dogs led troops through enemy territory, exposing ambushes and saving the
lives of platoons of men. In the middle of combat, war dogs proved their
intelligence, courage, and steadfast loyalty time and time again
During both World Wars, the United States and United Kingdom assembled
special pigeon service units that contained tens of thousands of birds. More than 16,000
homing pigeons were parachuted into Europe during World War II, including Gustav
(known as bird NPS.42.31066), who flew more than 150 miles back to
England on D-Day to deliver the first word of the Normandy landings.