WWII ARMY DOG AWARDED DICKIN MEDAL

A US Army hero dog, who met Winston Churchill during his military duties in the Second World War, has been posthumously awarded the 'animal Victoria Cross' for his brave service.

Chips, a Husky-cross, was recognised with a PDSA Dickin Medal for protecting the lives of his platoon during beach landings when the British and Americans invaded Sicily in July 1943.

The medal was first introduced in 1943 by Maria Dickin, the founder of the UK's leading veterinary charity the PDSA, and is a large bronze medallion bearing the words 'for gallantry' and 'we also serve'.

It was given at the Churchill War Rooms in London today, during the 75th anniversary of the Casablanca Conference.

During the US-led mission, called Operation Husky, as Chips and his platoon landed on the shore at dawn they immediately came under fire.

But, as the soldiers headed for cover, Chips escaped from his lead and ran towards the line of fire which appeared to be coming out of a hut.

His handler Private John Rowell and the rest of the platoon watched as Chips entered the shack and the firing stopped. One of the enemy soldiers then appeared with the dog at his throat, enabling them to push forward.

As well as his heroics on the battlefield, Chips served as sentry at the Casablanca Conference in Morocco in January 1943 when the Allies were still fighting to clear the Germans from North Africa.

To read the Daily News article, see:
Army pooch from New York who saved many lives in World War II honored for valor (http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/army-pooch-saved-countless-lives-world-war-ii-honored-article-1.3758770)

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