War hero dog wins ‘ VC’... 75 years on
A HERO dog that captured an enemy machine- gun post in the Second World War was yesterday posthumously awarded an “animal Victoria Cross”.
Chips, an Alsatian- husky cross, saved the lives of his American platoon during the Allied invasion of Sicily in July 1943.
The pet that went to war also met Sir Winston Churchill and US President Franklin Roosevelt in Morocco when he was a guard dog at the Casablanca Conference that year.
Chips went on to become America’s most highly decorated dog for his courage in the war to liberate Europe.
The PDSA Dickin medal – the animal equivalent of the VC – was formally presented to US Lieutenant Colonel Alan Throop and military working dog Ayron outside the Churchill war rooms in central London.
Chips was the pet of Edward Wren and his family from New York state, but they gave him up to USA Dogs For Defense in 1942.
After training Chips sailed to Morocco with his handler, Pte John Rowell, before taking part in Operation Husky, the invasion of Sicily.
During the night landing, his platoon came under machine- gun fire from a hut. Chips broke free and braved heavy fire to charge the Italian troops “with ferocious intent”, despite getting a scalp wound and powder burns.
Pte Rowell said: “There was an awful lot of noise and the firing stopped. Then I saw one soldier come out of the door with Chips at his throat. I called him off before he could kill the man.”
The Italian soldier was followed by three others with their hands above their heads.
The Americans learned that Chips had grabbed the machinegun by the barrel and pulled it off its mount.
A few weeks later Chips was recommended for the US Distinguished Service Cross for “extra heroism in action”. He also became the only animal to be awarded the US Armed Forces’ Silver Star.
His medals were later revoked because he was an animal, but yesterday his courage was finally rewarded to mark the 75th anniversary of the Allied invasion of Sicilly.
Chips is the 70th winner of the PDSA Dickin medal, whose roll of honour includes 33 dogs, 32 carrier pigeons, four horses and one cat.