US Army dog that took down a machine-gun nest in 1943 wins Britain’s highest animal honour
Chips the dog charged an Italian machine-gun nest in Sicily in 1943 and took down the soldier in charge. He also met Winston Churchill, and has now been posthumously awarded
A US Army dog that attacked a machine-gun nest during World War II was posthumously awarded Britain’s highest honour for animal bravery on Monday.
Chips, a German shepherd-husky cross, was awarded the Dickin Medal for actions during a 1943 beach landing in Sicily.
According to the US soldiers, Chips raced into an Italian machine-gun nest, attacking an enemy soldier by the throat and pulling the gun from its mount.
“It has taken over seven decades, but Chips can now finally take his place in the history books as one of the most heroic dogs to serve with the US Army,” Jan McLoughlin, director general of veterinary charity PDSA, said.
The medal was awarded by PDSA in a ceremony at the Churchill War Rooms in London. The honour was accepted by 76-year-old John Wren of Southold, New York, whose father donated Chips to the war effort in 1942. It was modelled by Ayron, a military working dog, on Chips’ behalf.
Lt. Col. Alan Throop, who attended on behalf of the US Army, said that soon after the battle Chips was recommended for the Distinguished Service Cross, the Silver Star and the Purple Heart.
The awards were later rescinded because army policy didn’t allow animals to receive medals.
Chips suffered scalp wounds and powder burns in the battle but survived the war, returning to his owners in Pleasantville, New York.
The medal was awarded on the 75th anniversary of the Casablanca Conference, at which British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and US President Franklin D Roosevelt plotted wartime strategy.
Chips served as a sentry at the conference and met both leaders.
Since 1943, the Dickin Medal has recognised gallantry by animals serving with the military, police or rescue services. Recipients include 33 dogs, 32 messenger pigeons, four horses and a cat.
