Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

War hero dog gets animal’s Victoria Cross
Chips received the Dickin Medal for his part in ‘Operation Husky’ on 10 July 1943.

Chips saved his platoon when they came under fierce attack

A US army dog has posthumously received the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross, for showing extraordinary courage in saving the lives of his platoon during the 1943 invasion of Sicily.

Chips, a German shepherd-husky cross, was described as a “real war hero” by PDSA’s director general Jan McLoughlin. A Dickin Medal for the army dog was presented today (15 January) at the Churchill War Rooms in London, on the 75th anniversary of the Casablanca Conference.

Chips served as sentry at the 1943 conference, where Winston Churchill and US president Franklin D Roosevelt met to map the Allied Forces’ strategy for the next phase of war.

US army attaché Lieutenant Colonel Alan Throop and military working dog Ayron, accepted the medal on Chips’ behalf.

Lieutenant Colonel Throop commented: “The soldiers that served during WWII faced untold hardships and the dogs that served alongside them truly helped them defeat the enemy. Chips’ story demonstrates the vital role that these animals played, and continue to play today. I am proud to play a small part in recognising his actions.”

Operation Husky
Chips received the Dickin Medal for his part in ‘Operation Husky’ on 10 July 1943 - one of the largest combined operations to take place during the war. As he was led ashore under cover of darkness, the platoon was attacked by an enemy machine gun team which were hidden in a nearby hut.

While the soldiers ran for cover, Chips broke free and rushed at the hut ‘with ferocious intent’ - despite a barrage of gunfire. His handler, Private 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.”

Three other enemy soldiers followed with their hands above their heads. It transpired that Chips had seized the machine gun by the barrel and pulled it off its mount. His actions undoubtedly saved the lives of his platoon.

After the war
Chips was honourably discharged after the war and the men in his platoon unofficially gave him a Theatre Ribbon with Arrowhead, together with eight battle stars - one for each of his campaigns. Chips went home to New York, where he resumed life as a family pet with the Wren family.

John Wren was only four years old when his father donated Chips to the war effort. Now aged 76, he travelled to London with his wife Sharon to attend the awards ceremony.

Mr Wren commented: “Chips was something of a celebrity when he returned from the war but we were just pleased to have our dog back. The letters that my father received from the soldiers that Chips served with prove just what a valuable asset he was to the US Army and I am so thrilled to see his service recognised here today.”

Chips is the 70th recipient of the PDSA Dickin Medal and only one of two US Army animals to receive it. His medal will be loaned to the National World War II Museum in New Orleans.

Image © F&F
 

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.