Teacher Curriculum Packet
Grades 3rd - 5th
Dogs for Defense:
Canine Corps
Presented by the
Eisenhower Foundation
Dogs for Defense: Hero Hounds
INTRODUCTION
CONTENTS
At a time when every American was asked
to make sacrifices for the American war
effort, WWII marked the establishment of
Dogs for Defense, a program to which
families donated their pet dog to serve in
the U.S. military. These four-legged recruits
came in every size and shape from the
backyards of small towns and big cities, and
were transformed through training from
loving pets into working troops. Through a
variety of artifacts and simulations,
students will follow the journey of their pet
dog as he leaves the family sofa, enters the
battlefield, and returns home a hero.
3
Core Standards
4Lesson Plan
5
Background Briefing
7
Primary Source Set: 2. DOGS
8Flashcards*
21 Rotation 1: Dog Duties*
28 Rotation 2: Preferred Breeds*
35 Rotation 3: Chips the Hero Hound*
61 Rotation 4: Build a Hero Hound*
66 Rotation 5: Keywords*
75 Rotation 6: Artifacts*
TARGET AUDIENCE
*Pre-printing/cutting Required
Grades 3 - 5
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
OBJECTIVES
This unit was produced in July 2013 by the
Eisenhower Foundation.
• Students will gain an understanding of
the overall objective of Dogs For Defense
as an example of Americans’ patriotism
and home front volunteerism for the
WWII war effort.
Mitzi Bankes Gose, writer
Emily Miller, writer and editor
Thanks to the Dane G. Hansen Foundation
for funding and the Eisenhower
Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood
Home for support.
• Students will be introduced to the
preferred breeds, specialized duties, and
outstanding dogs of the K-9 Corps.
Thank you to Andy Watson of the AMEDD
Center of History and Heritage for research
assistance, and to Robert Rosenkrans,
author of U.S. Military War Dogs in World
War II, for artifact advice and permission to
use images from his collection.
• Students will gain knowledge of the
characteristics and value of primary
sources.
Teachers may duplicate material for educational purposes.
2
Core
Standards
COMMON CORE STATE STANDARDS
For English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science and Technical Subjects
Standard
Grade Level
3rd - 5th
RI - Reading Informative Text
1-4, 7-8
RL - Reading Literature
1-3
SL - Speaking and Listening
1-3
KANSAS CONTENT STANDARDS:
Additionally, this lesson supports Kansas History, Government, and Social Studies Standards
2.1 and 3.1 through its discussion of America’s spirit of volunteerism, patriotism, and civic
responsibility.
*To view another state’s content standards, visit that state’s Department of Education website.
Teachers may duplicate material for educational purposes.
3
Lesson
Plan
1.Dog Duties
1. Ask students to think about -- and make
suggestions of -- what they could do, as a
kid in the United States, to help out our
soldiers who are fighting over seas.
After suggestions have waned, ask them
if they have a pet dog. Is there any way
it could help in the war? If so, would you
send it off to war?
Students match the duty with its description and image.
Page
Preparation
21
Print and fold along dashed line
22-27
Print and cut along dashed line
2. Preferred Breeds
Students play the memory game, matching the dog
picture with the breed name.
5 minutes
Page
2. Read through the Background Briefing
(page 5) Introduction portion and cover
the four keywords: Patriotism,
Volunteerism, Dogs for Defense, K-9
Corps
Preparation
28
Print and fold along dashed line
29-34
Print and cut along dashed line
3.Chips the Hero Hound
Students read this book aloud and complete story
questions.
5 minutes
Page
35
3. Point out that there were six main
duties, or jobs, that dogs were trained
to fulfill. Use the Flashcards (page 8-13)
to cover these.
Preparation
Print and fold along dashed line
36-59
Print and staple or bind
60
Print one copy per group
4. Build Your Own Hero Hound
5 minutes
Students complete the activity sheet.
Page
4. Read through the Background Briefing
Preferred Breeds information. Use the
Flashcards (page 8-13) to cover these.
61
62
63-65
5 minutes
Preparation
Print one copy
Print one copy per student
Print on sticker paper
5. Keywords
5. Divide students into six groups to begin
rotating between six activity stations:
Students review the keywords for this lesson and then
complete puzzles of four posters based on the key words.
Page
66
67-70
71-74
Preparation
Print and fold along dashed line
Print one copy
Print and cut along lines
6. Artifacts
Students will learn the definition of an artifact and then
examine artifacts related to the WWII War Dog Program.
Page
75
76-87
88-90
Preparation
Print and fold along dashed line
Print one copy
Print and cut along dashed line
5 minute rotations = 30 minutes
Teachers may duplicate material for educational purposes.
4
Background
Briefing
INTRODUCTION
PREFERRED BREEDS
Dogs have been used in battle by other
countries for thousands of years, but when
World War II started, the United States had
not adopted an official military war dog
program. Dog enthusiasts strongly believed
that dogs could aid the military and began
trying to persuade the government. This
group became Dogs for Defense, Inc.
In July of 1943, the Army’s Technical
Manual 10-396 listed thirty-two breeds
thought to be suitable as war dogs.
However, by the end of 1944, seven breeds
stood out and were preferred.
The German Shepherd was the top choice
of the U.S. Army, while the Marine Corps
preferred the Doberman Pinscher. Both
breeds had been used as guard and war
dogs in other countries. The sharp senses,
agility, alertness, and intelligence of these
breeds, plus the Belgian Sheepdog and
Collie made them ideal scouts, sentries,
and messengers.
Patriotic Americans on the home front
wanted to help our soldiers in any way they
could. The whole country shifted gears to
support our troops and win World War II.
The volunteers who created Dogs for
Defense were determined to show the
military that dogs were useful in war and
sent their own trained dogs to guard
weapon companies (sentry duty). They
soon proved valuable not only as excellent
guards, but also as morale boosters to those
they helped.
Able to brave colder climates, the Siberian
Husky, Malamute, and Eskimo dogs are
pack and sledge dog breeds with “snow
shoe” type feet that are well adapted for
traction on ice and snow. They are also
respected for their endurance, speed, and
ability to work on a dog team. These breeds
are able to haul double their body weight to
pull heavy sleds in snow covered areas not
accessible to other means of transportation
for an average of twenty-five miles a day.
In 1942, the U.S. Army received 200
trained sentry dogs from Dogs for Defense.
This was the first time in U.S. history war
dogs were officially recognized. Their
usefulness was quickly realized, and by
December, the Army, Marine Corps, and
Coast Guard requested 125,000 dogs! Dogs
for Defense turned to Americans to help
fulfill this request. America’s volunteer
spirit showed itself and approximately
40,000 pet dogs were signed up to join the
military. These dogs, however, were
untrained pets, not working dogs.
Training facilities and an official Army
training manual were soon created and the
United States K-9 Corps was established.
Dogs for Defense continued to supply the
K-9 Corps with dogs until March of 1945
when the Quartermaster Corps set up its
own procedures to obtain dogs.
Teachers may duplicate material for educational purposes.
Fun Fact
lm at ia n' s br ig ht
Be ca us e th e Da
it stand out too
coloration made
lines, attempts
much on the front
it khaki!
were made to dye
5
Background
Briefing
REPORTING FOR DUTY, SIR
There were six main duties, or jobs, that
dogs were trained to fulfill.
Sentry Dogs guarded a post, detecting and
sometimes attacking any intruders.
Scout Dogs trained to go ahead of their
handler to investigate and give silent
warning of enemy dangers.
Sledge dogs worked on a dog team to
t r a n s p o r t h e av y l o a d s o f s u p p l i e s ,
equipment, and sometimes wounded
soldiers across the rough terrain of ice and
snow.
Messenger Dogs delivered messages from
one handler on scouting patrol to another
handler at headquarters, often passing
through enemy territory and gunfire. These
loyal dogs learned to locate their handlers’
scents from up to a mile away!
Pack dogs transported supplies through
rough terrain that vehicles could not cross,
usually mountains. Using doggy-backpacks,
they carried small quantities of
ammunition, food and other supplies for
soldiers.
Casualty Dogs were trained and used by
the medical corps to locate wounded
soldiers. The dog searched a given area,
and upon finding an injured soldier,
returned to his handler to report its find.
The handler then attached a leash to the
dog who led him to the soldier.
Fun Fact
Initially, some dogs were trained for Mine
Detection and Gas Detection, but these
programs were soon abandoned because
they were ineffective.
Teachers may duplicate material for educational purposes.
g training centers
One of the war do
Island off of the
was built on Cat
ast!
Mississippi Gulf Co
6
Primary
Source Set
2. DOGS Hero Hounds
Number/Type
Description
2.1
Technical Manual No. 10-396, “War Dogs”
2.2
Recruiting Advertisement
ARTIFACT
ARTIFACT
2.3
ARTIFACT
2.4
ARTIFACT
2.5
Training manual for soldiers and dogs.
Dogs for Defense and Purina Dog Chow paired up to advertise in various
magazines during WWII.
CHIPS Makes a Comeback
1944 three-page comic book story about Chips, a U.S. Army Dog in the World War
II K-9 Corps.
Private Pepper of Dogs for Defense
Book by Frances Cavanah from 1945 that tells the story of Pepper in the World
War II K-9 Corps.
USMC FMF Pacific Dog Platoons Patch
ARTIFACT
United States Marine Corps (USMC) Fleet Marine Force (FMF) worn by soldiers
with dogs in their unit.
2.6
Certificate of Appreciation
2.7
CPL Harold “Al” Tesch and “Tipper”
2.8
Pack of Three Letters
ARTIFACT
PHOTO
U.S. War Department, Office of the Quartermaster General, circa 1943.
1943-1945, USMC, 3rd War Dog Platoon, Pacific Theatre.
ARTIFACT
From Al to Hazel, dated 23 March, 1944, September 12, 1944, and November 13,
1944.
2.9
War Dogs Honorable Discharge Certificate
2.10
Certificate of Appreciation from the City of Los Angeles, State of CA
2.11
Eager Beaver cartoon
“Army War Dogs Wanted” -- “1 Column Mat M-265” circa 1942.
ARTIFACT
ARTIFACT
ARTIFACT
United States Coast Guard, circa 1945.
To Lady; From Board of Human Commissioners; October 5, 1945.
WWII Choke Chain Collar
2.12
ARTIFACT
2.13
ARTIFACT
These training collars were made of strong welded steel rings that would apply
pressure on the dog if it was pulling against its handler. The oblong links prevent
the dog’s fur from getting pulled or matted. Some of them had a solid ring that
was stamped “U.S. WAR DOG.”
Aggression Training Sleeve Cover
This would cover the trainer’s arm and protect him from the dog’s bite as it was
being trained to attack. The person being attacked would often wear an entire
protective training suit.
Teachers may duplicate material for educational purposes.
10 7
Sentry
Guarded a post,
detecting and
sometimes attacking
any intruders.
Scout
Trained to go ahead of
their handler to
inv est iga te and giv e
silent warning of
enemy dangers.
Pack
Transported supplies
through rough
terrain that vehicles
could not cross,
usually mountains.
Using
doggybackpacks, they
carried small
quantities
of
ammunition, food and
other supplies for
soldiers.
Messenger
Delivered messages
from one handler on
scouting patrol to
another handler at
headquarters, often
passing through
enemy territory and
gunfire. These loyal
dogs learned to
locate their handlers’
scents from up to a
mile away!
Sledge
Worked on a dog team to transport heavy loads of
supplies, equipment, and sometimes wounded
soldiers across the rough terrain of ice and snow.
Casualty
Trained and used by the medical corps to locate wounded
soldiers. The dog searched a given area, and upon finding
an injured soldier, returned to his handler to report its
find. The handler then attached a leash to the dog who led
him to the soldier.
German Shepherd
doberman Pinscher
Collie
Belgian Sheepdog
Siberian Husky
Malamute
Eskimo
DOG DUTIES
DIRECTIONS
Students match the duty with its
description and image.
Example
Casualty
Sledge
Messenger
Pack
Scout
Sentry
These dogs guarded a post, detecting and
sometimes attacking any intruders.
These dogs were trained to go ahead of
their handler to investigate and give
silent warning of enemy dangers.
These dogs transpor ted supplies
through rough terrain that vehicles
could not cross, usually mountains.
Using doggy-backpacks, they carried
small quantities of ammunition, food
and other supplies for soldiers.
These dogs delivered messages from one
handler on scouting patrol to another
handler at headquarters, often passing
through enemy territory and gunfire.
These loyal dogs learned to locate their
handlers’ scents from up to a mile away!
These dogs worked on a dog team to
transport heavy loads of supplies,
equipment, and sometimes wounded
soldiers across the rough terrain of ice
and snow.
These dogs were trained and used by the
medical corps to locate wounded
soldiers. The dog searched a given area,
and upon finding an injured soldier,
returned to his handler to report its
find. The handler then attached a leash
to the dog who led him to the soldier.
PREFERRED
BREEDS
DIRECTIONS
Play the memory game, matching dog pic with breed name. Start with all cards
shuffled and turned with the white side up. On their turn, each player turns over
two cards. If the two cards are a match of the dog picture and breed name, the
player keeps the cards. The game ends when time runs out or all matches have
been made. The player with the most cards wins.
+
Malamute
German Shepherd
Collie
Doberman Pinscher
Belgian Sheepdog
Malamute
Siberian Husky
Eskimo
FUNNY FACT
Because the Dalmatian's bright coloration
made it stand out too much on the front
lines, attempts were made to dye it khaki!
German
Doberman
Shepherd
Pinscher
Collie
Belgian
Sheepdog
Malamute
FUNNY FACT
Because the Dalmatian's
bright coloration made it
stand out too much on
the front lines, attempts
were made to dye it
khaki!
Siberian Husky Eskimo
CHIPS THE
HERO HOUND
DIRECTIONS
Take turns reading two pages of this book out loud to your group.
After you’ve finished the book, complete the story questions as a group.
CHIPS
the Hero Hound
CHIPS
the Hero Hound
2
One bright and sunny day in Pleasantville,
New York, two little girls, Gail and Nancy, were
playing fetch with their dog, Chips, a German
Shepherd, Collie and Husky mix. At two years
old, he was a fun and lively puppy that was
very protective of his family, especially young
Nancy.
Just as Chips was running after his ball, a
garbage truck pulled up in front of his home,
but Chips didn’t know the man that got out of
the truck. Wanting to protect his family, Chips
ran up to the garbage man and bit him!
Luckily, the bite wasn’t too hard and Edward,
the girls’ dad, was close by to calm Chips
down.
3
CHIPS
the Hero Hound
Sticker given to Americans who donated
their dogs to Dogs for Defense.
4
Later that night at dinner, Edward said to
his family, “You know, seeing Chips in action
today made me think. There is a war going on
and this new program, Dogs for Defense, is
looking for soldier dogs. Chips is young, has
tons of energy and is very brave. I think we
should do our part and donate him to Dogs for
Defense. What do you think, kids?”
“Oh daddy! NO! You can’t send my Chips
off to war!!” cried Nancy.
“But honey, I’m too old to go and your
brother Johnny is just a baby! This is what our
family can do here on the home front to help
the United States and the Allies win World
War II!” explained Edward.
5
CHIPS
the Hero Hound
August 19th, 1942. The little boy, Clyde Porter, is
presenting his dog "Junior" to the Dogs For Defense. The
U.S. Army received over 20,000 dogs during World War II
from owners such as little Clyde.
6
“Girls, do you know what
patriotism is?”
asked their mother.
“I do!” exclaimed Nancy. “We learned
about it in school. It is to love your country
and, because we are good, patriotic girls, I
think we should volunteer Chips for Dogs for
Defense, Nancy.”
“Okay, I guess,” sniffled Nancy. “But you
better come home a hero!” she said to Chips,
giving him a big hug.
7
CHIPS
the Hero Hound
8
!
So it was settled, Chips was off to war, but
first, like any good soldier, Chips needed to be
trained.
!
At the War Dog Training Center in Front
Royal, Virginia, Chips met his handler, Private
John P. Rowell and was assigned to sentry
duty. A sentry dog guarded a post, detected
any break-ins, and, if ordered, attacked enemy
intruders. After three weeks, Chips was ready
for his first taste of battle and, with his handler
John by his side, set sail for Africa.
9
CHIPS
the Hero Hound
10
!
During the long voyage across the Atlantic
ocean, Chips became very seasick.
!
“Chips, old boy, I sure hope you get to
feeling better soon!” said John, patting him on
the head.
!
Luckily, before the ship landed, Chips came
around, but, as the troops reached the shore,
they were met with enemy gunfire.
!
“Come on, Chips let’s move!” yelled John.
At first, the loud explosions scared him, but
Chips quickly overcame his fear and joined
John in the fight.
11
CHIPS
the Hero Hound
12
!
The Army was so impressed by the courage
Chips showed in Africa that he and John were
selected for a very important, top-secret
mission. Every night for ten days, Chips and
John patrolled the house where United States
President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Great
Britain’s Prime Minister Winston Churchill
met to make war plans. Chips even got to meet
the famous world leaders!
13
CHIPS
the Hero Hound
14
!
Next, Chips and John sailed for Sicily.
Once on the island’s shore, they began to make
their way inland, but all of a sudden, an enemy
machine gun nest, disguised as a hut, started
firing on the soldiers!
!
“Chips! Wait!” John yelled as the dog
broke free from his leash, disappearing into the
hut. A few minutes later, Chips came back out
the door with one enemy soldier by the neck
followed by three more surrendering with their
hands above their heads.
15
CHIPS
the Hero Hound
16
!
“Good boy, Chips!” said John. “Now, let’s
get you to the first-aid tent,” noticing the burns
and cut on Chips’ head.
!
But even his wounds wouldn’t keep the
soldier dog away from battle. Later that day,
Chips’ sharp nose picked up the scent of more
enemy soldiers and he alerted John.
!
“Put your hands up!” John ordered, taking
all ten enemy soldiers prisoner.
17
CHIPS
the Hero Hound
Chips, the top dog of the K-9 Corps.
18
!
Stories about Chips, the hero hound, soon
spread around the world and he was given the
Silver Star for “bravery in action against the
enemy.”
!
Chips was also awarded the Distinguished
Service Cross and the Purple Heart, but these
medals were later taken away because the
Army decided they were only for humans.
!
This didn’t bother Chips though because
John and the other men made their own medals
for Chips to proudly wear.
19
CHIPS
the Hero Hound
Chips meets General Eisenhower.
20
!
After fighting in Sicily, Chips was sent to
Italy. On a visit to the Italian war zone,
General Dwight D. Eisenhower, who had
heard all about this hero hound, asked to meet
Chips. Without thinking, the general leaned
over to pet him and Chips nipped his hand!
!
Being a dog lover himself, General
Eisenhower took it well, realizing that war dogs
were trained to only respond to their handler,
not strangers, no matter how many stars are on
their shoulder.
21
CHIPS
the Hero Hound
22
!
In 1945, when World War II ended, Chips
went back to the states. He travelled by train
with six reporters to his hometown where
Edward and Johnny, now a young boy, were
waiting for him.
!
“Welcome home soldier!” grinned Edward.
“I know two girls who are very excited to see
you!”
!
After school ended for the day, Gail and
Nancy raced home.
!
“Chips! You came home!” squealed Nancy.
“And you are a true, wet American Hero!” as
Chips greeted the girls with a big kiss!
23
CHIPS
Story Questions
After reading CHIPS the Hero Hound, have fun completing the questions and activities.
1. Circle the correct answers from the
bolded options.
*Chips first lived in Kansas / New York
with Nancy and Gail / Bailey.
2. Who am I? Choose a person from the word
box who you think would say each quote.
John P. Rowell
enemy soldier
General Eisenhower
Nancy
Gail
Edward
*At the War Dog Training Center, Chips met
his handler, John P. Rowell / Tom Ziegler
and was assigned to pack / sentry duty.
*Chips became homesick / seasick on the
way to Africa, but soon proved his courage
and was selected for a mission to patrol the
house where U.S. President Roosevelt /
Ouch!
He bit
me!
You
saved my
life!
Eisenhower and Prime Minister Churchill
were meeting.
*While in Africa / Sicily, Chips saved many
lives when he took command of an enemy
machine gun nest and alerted troops to
many hidden mines / enemy soldiers.
*Chips became so well-known that General
Dwight D. Eisenhower / George S. Patton
asked to meet him while they were both
stationed in Italy / France.
*When World War II ended in 1923 / 1945,
Chips returned home a hero to Gail and
Nancy.
We
better
surrender
now!
3. The medals first awarded to Chips were
taken away, but John and the other men
made their own medals for Chips to wear.
Design a medal you would give to Chips.
Build a Hero Hound
Directions
1. Name
Pick a name for your Hero Hound and
write it on its collar.
2. Color
Color your Hero Hound.
3. Duty
Pick a special duty for your Hero Hound
and place the sticker on its blanket.
4. Branch
Pick a branch of the military for your
Hero Hound to serve and place the
sticker on its blanket.
5. Award
Pick an award for your Hero Hound and
place the sticker on its blanket.
Hero Hound
Build a
K
E
Y W
O
R
D S
This station reviews the keywords from this lesson.
1. Review each word, its definition, and its example image.
2. See how many of the image puzzles you can assemble
before time runs out.
DOGS FOR DEFENSE
This organization asked Americans to donate their healthy and
capable dogs for the U.S. military to use in World War II. Their
efforts convinced the military to create a War Dog Program, called
“K-9 Corps.”
The image below shows a young boy, Clyde Porter, giving his
dog “Junior” to the Dogs for Defense.
PATRIOTISM
To show love for your country.
The image below was a window sticker to be placed on their car or
house window to show they gave money to the War Dog fund.
Does your family show their support for a cause or a team by
putting a sticker in your car or house window?
VOLUNTEERISM
To freely help others.
The image below shows young Carol and Paul Sims volunteering
their German Shepherd, “Silvers” to the U.S. Army.
K-9 Corps
On March 13, 1942, the U.S. Under Secretary of War established the
War Dog Program called “K-9 Corps” to train and utilize the dogs
obtained by Dogs for Defense. In August 1942, the Quartermaster
Corps established training centers and Technical Manual 10-396 to
outline the procedures to be followed in training.
The image below shows the cover and music for the K-9 Corps official march
of “Dogs for Defense.” It was written in 1943.
P A T R I O T I S M
V O L U N T E E R I S M
ARTIFACTS
DIRECTIONS
Take turns reading the following four paragraphs to the rest of your group:
1. If your bedroom, or entire home - as it is now - was not touched for 100 years, what could a person
in the year 2113 speculate about your life and world by looking at all of your things? Would that
person even know what many of your items were? (pass this to another student to read)
2. Researchers and museums call most of these old items “artifacts.” The Eisenhower Presidential
Library, Museum, and Boyhood Home are full of them! So first, let’s learn about artifacts, then use
them to investigate the use of dogs in World War II. (pass)
3. What is an artifact? It is any direct evidence produced by humans during a specific period under
study. They vary widely, from objects like bowls, photographs, diaries, maps, movies, tools, and
toys. The key is that they were created by humans during the time period being studied. (pass)
4. Match the picture of each artifact to the information card. Explore as many of the WWII artifacts
as you can before time is up!
8”
Artifact 2.1
5 1/2”
Primary Source 2.1 Dogs for Defense
11 1/2”
Artifact 2.2
8”
Primary Source 2.2 Dogs for Defense
Artifact 2.3
6 3/4”
4 3/4”
Primary Source 2.3 Dogs for Defense
9 1/2”
Artifact 2.4
7 1/2”
Primary Source 2.4 Dogs for Defense
3 3/4”
Artifact 2.5
3”
Primary Source 2.5 Dogs for Defense
11”
Artifact 2.6
8 1/2”
Primary Source 2.6 Dogs for Defense
4 1/4”
Artifact 2.7-.8
3“
13 Nov. 1944
Dear Hazel,
23 March 1944
Dear Hazel,
I am writing because I want to thank
you. You are the reason I am alive and
writing to you now. If you would not
have shown the newspaper clipping
from the Chicago Tribune about the
war department accepting dogs with
bad tempers to your father, Tipper
would have been put to sleep in the
pound. Your action sent Tipper into my
life and set it on a course I never would
have dreamed of. After being trained as
a scout dog, we were sent to
Guadalcanal. Tipper saved me and a
bunch of guys from walking straight off
a cliff on a night patrol. He got a belly
full of K-rations for that caper. We were
then sent on to Guam. On the very first
night there, we were hit with mortars
during our sleep. Tipper and I were
both wounded but two guys just twenty
feet away were killed. I’m not sure why
we were spared but now thinking it is
because Tipper and I have work to do.
Our wounds have healed and we are
both ok now.
I am and will always take good care of
Tipper. Don’t worry about him.
Please excuse my handwriting - I am
kneeling on the ground writing on a
ammo box.
12 Sept. 1944
Dear Hazel
Since I last wrote, Tipper has saved
many more lives. Once he insisted
there was danger in a palm tee, but
none of us could see anything. I figured
what the heck and started firing my
carbine. I turns out a sniper was
hidden up there completely
camouflaged in palm fronds. Think
about it. A deer can’t sent a hunter in a
tree stand. Now way. But Tippy knew.
He always knew. He alerts me by
perking up his ears and then his head
would bob up and down trying to locate
the scent. When he finds it his hair
bristles and he gives a low growl -- no,
more like a rumble. Tipper never gives
us away with a bark and he has never
given a false alert. Not once, not ever.
I have to get some shut eye before Sarge
starts yelling, but I wanted to thank you
again for sending Tipper to me. He is
doing well and has saved me several
times over. I will try to write more to
keep you updated.
Sincerely,
Al Tesch
Will write again when I can.
Sincerely,
Al Tesch
Tipper Says Hi
I have a couple of funny stories to tell
you about Tipper. He loves to shag
balls. One day we staged an exhibition
ball game. The big attractions were Pee
Wee Reese and Ted Williams. Williams
was a Marine Corsair pilot. I was
playing short stop. Williams slams one
-- it’s a homer. And just about the time
Williams is rounding second base, here
comes old Tipper tearing across the
outfield and he drops the ball at my feet.
Everybody’s cheering and whistling as
Williams touches home plate. And I
think to this day that Mr. Red Sox never
knew the applause wasn’t for him.
We finally got orders to move out, and
that meant a field inspection. Major
General Erskine, our division
commander, headed the inspection
party. He walked up and down the front
ranks of our battalion, loudly praising
the devil dogs. That’s when Tippy bit
him! Guys up and down the line later
told me they could hear khaki rippin’
and then flappin’ in the wind like Old
Glory. I didn’t hear a thing -- I was
scared stiff that I was gonna be courtmartialed. I didn’t have Tippy’s leash
short-snubbed like I should have. Then
the General says in a loud voice:
“Gentlemen, we have just witnessed a
classic example of what these splendid
canines are trained to do -- ATTACK!”
Tipper has saved many men’s lives in
Guam. I am not able to write about it
now, but maybe someday I’ll tell you
how his nose and ears saved us guys on
Guam many times. We’ll be shipping
out soon -- I’m sure glad to have Tipper
-- my guardian angel -- with me. Thank
you!
Sincerely,
Al Tesch
Primary Source 2.8 Dogs for Defense
10”
Artifact 2.9
8 1/4”
Primary Source 2.9 Dogs for Defense
11”
Artifact 2.10
7 1/2”
Primary Source 2.10 Dogs for Defense
8”
Artifact 2.11
8”
Primary Source 2.11 Dogs for Defense
24”
Artifact 2.12
12”
Primary Source 2.12 Dogs for Defense
Width: 1”
Length: 24”
Artifact 2.13
Primary Source 2.13 Dogs for Defense
War Department
Technical Manual No. 10-396
“War Dogs”
July 1, 1943
DESCRIPTION:
This military manual was created to
instruct and inform everyone involved
with the War Dogs Program. It set up all
the rules that everyone must follow in
training and caring for the dogs.
Private Pepper of Dogs for
Defense
Written by Frances Cavanah
in 1945.
DESCRIPTION:
This children’s book tells the story of
Pepper serving in the World War II K-9
Corps. It also had a sequel, Private
Pepper Comes Home.
Please be gentle, this is the original
book so it is almost 70 years old!
Aggression Training Sleeve
Cover
DESCRIPTION:
This would cover the trainer’s arm and
protect him from the dog’s bite as it was
being trained to attack. The person
being attacked would often wear an
entire protective training suit.
“CHIPS Makes a Comeback”
True Comics #36
June, 1944
DESCRIPTION:
This three-page comic book story is
about a real U.S. Army Dog in WWII
named Chips and his actual encounter
with General Dwight D. Eisenhower.
United States Marine Corps
Fleet Marine Force, Pacific
Dog Platoon Shoulder Patch
DESCRIPTION:
Each platoon consisted of 18 messenger
and 18 scout dogs with one officer and
65 enlisted men.
Photo of Cpl. Harold “Al”
Tesch and “Tipper”
United States Marine Corps
3rd War Dog Platoon, Pacific
Theatre
1943-1945
Three letters from Al to Hazel, dated
March 23, 1944; September 12, 1944
and November 13, 1944.
These letters and photo were sent from
Cpl. Tesch to Hazel, a young girl who
donated her pet, Tipper, to the War Dog
Program. Typed versions of the letters
have also been made available so you
can read them more easily.
United States War
Department
Office of the Quartermaster
General
Certificate of Appreciation
circa 1943
DESCRIPTION:
This certificate was awarded to Hazel
Lunardini for donating her dog, Tipper.
United States Coast Guard
War Dogs Honorable
Discharge Certificate
Admiral of the U.S. Coast
Guard
circa 1945
DESCRIPTION:
This certificate was awarded to “Buck”
for his service with the armed forces.
Certificate of Appreciation
To “Lady”
From the Board of Human
Commissioners, City of Los
Angeles, State of CA
October 5, 1945
DESCRIPTION:
This certificate is an act of kindness and
respect for Lady and her owners for her
service in the K-9 Corps during WWII.
Eager Beaver cartoon
“Army War Dogs Wanted”
circa 1942
DESCRIPTION:
This cartoon would have been run in
newspapers to promote the new War
Dog Program.
WWII Choke Chain Collar
Recruiting Advertisement
DESCRIPTION:
Dogs for Defense, Inc. and Purina Dog
Chow paired up to advertise in various
magazines during WWII.
DESCRIPTION:
These training collars were made of
strong welded steel rings that would
apply pressure on the dog if it was
pulling against its handler. The oblong
links prevent the dog’s fur from getting
pulled or matted. Some of them had a
solid ring that was stamped “U.S. WAR
DOG.”