The incident was later relayed in Stubby’s half-page obituary in the New York Times: “In the Chemin des Dames, Stubby captured a German spy and saved a doughboy [slang for a United States infantryman] from a gas attack. The dog hung around as the men drilled and one soldier, Corporal Robert Conroy, developed a fondness for the Boston Terrier. Having said that, we did have to amalgamate a lot of events for the purpose of telling a story and use some artistic license. He whined as a signal to the men who learned to trust his keener senses, saving many from injury and death. Back home his exploits were front page news of every major newspaper. Stubby’s obituary in the New York Times was half a page, much longer than those of many notable people of the time. But he was no ordinary stray: just a few years later – following the end of the First World War – the tenacious canine had become known as the most decorated dog in American history. Tennyson had said something memorable--"His not to reason why, his but to do and die". Sergeant Stubby's brick at the World War I Memorial. He knew not where he was speeding. Owner of the famous war dog Sergeant Stubby. A: Most of the film – I’d say 90 per cent of it – is based on real events. Not a single historical clipping from Stubby's lifetime—and there are hundreds of them—ever referred to the famous dog with a military rank. Parents need to know that Sgt. His obituary ran in several newspapers. Stubby: An American Hero seems about as well-meaning as the dog itself—if not quite as daring or decorated. Stubby”, is one of my favorite artifacts in the Armed Forces History collections.He was the mascot of the 102 Infantry 26th Yankee Division in World War I. By . Today, Sgt Stubby is part of an exhibit in the National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. His recent contacts with scholasticism, however, stood him in good stead. As the Georgetown University football mascot for a time, Stubby was known to entertain the crowds during halftime, historians say. Thank you for subscribing to HistoryExtra, you now have unlimited access. Be sure to follow us on Twitter and Facebook for updates and check out "Sgt. The dog hung around as the men drilled and one soldier, Corporal Robert Conroy, developed a fondness for the Boston Terrier. To coincide with its release, we caught up with the film’s director Richard Lanni: A: I came across Stubby while working on a series of history documentaries about the American experience of the First World War. Stubby. He saved his regiment from surprise mustard gas attacks, found and comforted the wounded, and even once caught a German spy by the seat of his pants, holding him there until American soldiers found him. Crammed into a train loaded with equipment, he was started South. Stubby Stubblefield died on May 30, 1935, in Speedway, Indiana, USA of racecar accident. Stubby is a war movie… for kids. There seems to be a problem, please try again. But how much do you know about the decorated war dog? 1. [6], Articles with dead external links from November 2014, Articles incorporating text from Wikipedia, Collection of the Smithsonian Institution, Military history of the United States during World War I, Smithsonian - "The Price of Freedom" exhibition, http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn85042462/1910-01-02/ed-1/seq-49.pdf, http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn85066387/1911-08-20/ed-1/seq-14.pdf, http://amhistory.si.edu/militaryhistory/exhibition/flash.html?path=8.1.r_15, http://www.armymuseum.nl/legermuseum.en/legermuseum.en/i000466.html, "The Price of Freedom: Americans at War – Stubby", http://americanhistory.si.edu/militaryhistory/collection/object.asp?ID=15, http://www.ct.gov/mil/cwp/view.asp?a=1351&q=257892, http://historywired.si.edu/detail.cfm?ID=519, "Canine soldiers earn accolades: Exhibit extols virtues of WWI’s Sgt. When not acting as an early warning system, he ran between the trenches looking for wounded soldiers. Born New Haven, Connecticut, circa 1916. One of Stubby’s greatest recorded achievements occurred late one night on the western front. That would take hours! The year When Stubby died in 1926, The New York Times published his obituary. Following his death, Stubby’s skin was preserved and mounted on a plaster cast. HEH HEH FIRST TO MAKE A TRIBUTE FOR THIS MOVIE!!! When he recovered from his wounds, Stubby returned to the trenches. He went into the war a dog, suffered honorable wounds and overcame gas attacks. For his actions against the German spy, Stubby was recommended for the rank of Sergeant and became the first dog to receive rank in the United States Armed Forces. He met Presidents Woodrow Wilson, Calvin Coolidge, and Warren G. Harding. His skin was mounted on a plaster cast and presented to the Smithsonian in 1956. There are 365 days in a year and every day is full of rich, American military history. 1 Answer. Unexpectedly, Stubby formidably served as a member of the 26th Division and, because of his feats of war, he was the first dog promoted to the rank of sergeant. There are no animal deaths in this movie, and the human deaths (soldiers) are merely implied. Stubby lived out his years happily with Corporal Conroy and died in 1926. He is remembered as a hero of the First World War. Stories about his status as a sergeant sprang to life after Stubby wandered into the Internet. Get answers by asking now. A: The problem we faced was this: how do we tell a family film about one of the worst events in modern history? A war movie is nominated for the Best Picture Oscar nearly every year. Starting in 1921, he attended Georgetown University Law Center with Conroy, and became the Georgetown Hoyas' team mascot. Sergeant Stubby (1916 or 1917 – April 4, 1926), was the most decorated war dog of World War I and the only dog to be promoted to sergeant through combat. He was honoured with a medal for heroism from the Humane Education Society – an animal protection organisation – and met with presidents Woodrow Wilson, Calvin Coolidge and Warren G Harding. Stubby’s story remained relatively untold until recently, when he was immortalised in a new animated film. Stubby and Conroy were stationed near the Marne River. Find out more about the Sergeant Stubby movie here, This article was first published on History Extra in September 2018, Save a huge 50% off a subscription to your favourite history magazine. The answer came in the book Once There Was a War, a collection of articles by John Steinbeck, who was a war correspondent during the Second World War. A: I think so. We couldn’t follow Stubby chronologically through four campaigns and 17 battles, for example. Stubby: An American Hero is a 2018 American computer-animated adventure film centering on the real-life Sergeant Stubby, a stray Bull Terrier. In 1956, Stubby was donated to the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C., and he is still remembered today. Found in Connecticut in 1917 by members of the infantry, Stubby was stowed away on a ship to France by a young soldier called Robert Conroy and went on to participate in four offensives and 17 battles. [5] Stubby served with the 102nd Infantry, 26th (Yankee) Division in the trenches in France for 18 months and participated in four offensives and 17 battles. Stubby was also featured in the Brave Beasts exhibit at the Legermuseum in Delft, The Netherlands. Sgt. People just called him Stubby. He accompanied them to France in 1917 and served with them in their battles, hardships, sorrows, and joys.He barked warnings of… Stubby recognized the gas and ran through the trench barking and biting at the soldiers, rousing them to sound the gas alarm, saving many from injury. America's first war dog, Stubby served for 18 months and participated in seventeen battles on the Western Front. Then there are war movies; when done well, they are always up for major awards. One of the men, a 25-year-old private named Robert Conroy, took a shining to the young dog and began to take care of him, naming him ‘Stubby’ for his stature and tail. Sgt. “My guess is given the acuity of a dog’s hearing, the sound of a gas shell being loaded for launching was different than the sound of an artillery shell and the dog learned to decipher the distinction between that,” Bausum says. Stubby, according to vintage articles from his time (linked below in "references") and this 1921 one in particular, was noted to be a Boston Bull Terrier,[1] which is the old term for the Boston Terrier breed. America's first war dog, Stubby served for 18 months and participated in seventeen battles on the Western Front. Nobody likes war. Stubby — who was believed to be a Pit Bull mix — was the most decorated war dog in U.S. history. Rachel Dinning is the Digital Editorial Assistant at History Extra. Sergeant Stubby. Sergeant Stubby (c1916–1926) was an American dog who served as the mascot of America’s 102nd Infantry Regiment during the First World War. WWI Veteran. At the end of the war, Conroy smuggled Stubby home. Stubby, is one of great service, trust and loyalty. Seizing his prisoner by the breeches, Stubby held on until help arrived.”. Stubby: An American Hero, was released that recounted his heroic story. Stubby: An American Hero" in stores, online, and on Amazon/iTunes/Google Play downloads. Stubby could hear incoming artillery shells before the troops did. He went to the White House twice, met three presidents, and in 1921 the American overall commander “Black Jack” Pershing personally pinned a one-of-a-kind “Dog Hero Gold Medal” on Stubby’s military jacket. Not bad for a dog. After returning home, Stubby became a celebrity and marched in, and normally led, many parades across the country. Stubby was later wounded in a grenade attack, but survived. I look at audience comments from our US viewers, for example, and they say that children wanted to know more about the First World War after watching the film. Nellie died, the Oakland Tribune said, apparently from “a combination of wounds and age.” Sergeant Stubby. – as a way to introduce kids to the First World War during this centennial year. Here are some interesting things to know about this four-legged hero. In 2018, an animated film, Sgt. Sgt. Upon his death on April 4 in the arms of John, from symptoms of a very old dog, the remains were preserved with technical assistance from the Smithsonian Institution. How did Sergeant Stubby die? Sgt. The dog’s fortunes changed in July 1917 when he began hanging around a group of soldiers, members of the 102nd Infantry Regiment, as they trained in the grounds of Yale University. Stubby became the official mascot of the American Expeditionary Force, and did his part to raise morale to the war-weary soldiers on the front lines. He knew not where he was speeding. Featuring the voices of Helena Bonham Carter and Gérard Depardieu, Sgt Stubby recounts Stubby’s heroic journey from a stray on the streets to becoming the most decorated dog in military history. With the tears of family and girlfriends waving goodbye, … Please enter your number below. You're now subscribed to our newsletter. He was sent to the rear for convalescence, and as he had done on the front was able to improve morale. Whether he met George Patton [the famed US military commander who led troops in the First and Second World War] is up for debate, but we do know they were once in the same place at the same time. We independently produced and released an animated feature film "Sgt. It happened 100 years ago and people live very busy lives today. His sense of smell, too, meant that he could readily detect mustard gas attacks: he once saved an entire company by alerting the men to don their gas masks. When it came time for the outfit to ship out, Conroy hid Stubby on boar… He was a dog of uncertain breed, described in early news stories as either a Bull Terrier or Boston Terrier, with a short stature, barrel shape and friendly temperament. After the war, he worked for the FBI. Those remains and his blanket were put on display at the National Red Cross Museum. Stubby spent his final years with John Conroy, his acknowledged master, who had rescued him so many years ago. 1921 The Evening World: Stubby, a brindle Boston Bull Terrier... http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030193/1921-07-08/ed-1/seq-2.pdf, "Vintage Boston Terrier name "Boston Bull Terrier" (in reference to Stubby's breed)", "Visual of the Boston Terrier (aka Boston Bull Terrier) of 1912", https://military.wikia.org/wiki/Sergeant_Stubby?oldid=5186149, Humane Education Society Gold Medal Medal of Honor. Stubby: An American Hero, 2018. By entering your details, you are agreeing to HistoryExtra terms and conditions and privacy policy. 2. There are several chickenhawks I can name off the top of my head who love war. Stubby did catch a German spy; he was taught to salute; he did go out into no-man’s land, locate the wounded and bring out the stretcher bearers; he did nurse Robert Conroy through the Spanish flu; and he did get seriously wounded and go AWOL for a month before turning up back at camp. He was solely responsible for capturing a German spy in the Argonne. Feb 19, 2015 Feb 19, 2015. Born New Haven, Connecticut, circa 1916. The obituary (in full here) was given a great deal more column space than many other notable people of the time. After Stubby learned from the soldiers to run for cover when under fire, he would start running back long before the soldiers were even aware they were under attack, since he was able to hear the high-pitched whine of incoming shells far better and sooner than they could. Sgt. When he was a puppy in 1917, Stubby was wandering around the fields of Yale University. Stubby joined up. Sergeant Stubby died in his sleep. Thanks! Join Yahoo Answers and get 100 points today. Overseas, Stubby developed his ability to give advance warning of gas attacks, but exactly how he did this is unclear. He was present for four offensives and 17 battles in total, serving for around 18 months. For the soldiers in Stubby’s unit, Stubby’s hearing allowed him to serve as a sort of early detection warning system. Everything you ever wanted to know about... 7 things you probably didn’t know about America’s entry and involvement in the First World War, The telegram that brought America into the First World War, Find out more about the Sergeant Stubby movie here, “For Queen Victoria, food was a way of exploring the world”, Remembering the First World War: blood, poppies and poetry, 7 things you (probably) didn’t know about America’s entry and involvement in the First World War. But on the whole, most of the elements relating to Stubby are true. By the time the unit had left for France, Private Conroy had become so devoted to his new furry friend that he stowed him on the ship. One morning a bugle sounded the departure from camp. The Stubby story may not end there. Following the war, Stubby returned home to America. On this matter, we took the view: why not? I also don’t believe that entertainment and education have to be mutually exclusive: it’s all about how information is presented. No, Stubby does not die in this movie. You will shortly receive a receipt for your purchase via email. Stubby later took part in the brutal offensives of Saint-Mihiel, Aisne-Marne, and the Champagne-Marne. Stubby was involved in many battles while stationed overseas, including the second battle of Marne (July 1918) and the battle of Chateau-Thierry (July 1918). As recently as 2006, Stubby was honored as part of a World War I monument in Kansas City. In February 1918, the 102 nd was at Chemin des Dames, in the west of France, where they were expecting the Germans to attack from one moment to another. Okay, that’s not true. One morning a bugle sounded the departure from camp. He had become perhaps the most famous of World War I military dogs. Stubby joined up. Alerted by the commotion, Stubby’s fellow soldiers were then able to capture and imprison the spy. Stubby was an amazing opportunity to bring some of the realities of history to children in an age-appropriate way. When a commanding officer discovered Stubby’s presence, the dog responded by saluting him. When did Stubby Stubblefield die? Anyone who visits can find a brick in memory of Stubby along the Walk of Honor. The officer was reportedly rendered speechless by the gesture, and the incident secured Stubby’s place as the official mascot of the Yankee division. Attempts by the German to deceive the dog were futile. Many people don’t know that much about the war, particularly in America where people were perhaps less directly affected compared to those in Europe. Die in this Bitesize Primary KS2 history guide done well, they are always for! Little way – can really Play a part in stopping people from forgetting capturing a spy... He met Presidents Woodrow Wilson, Calvin Coolidge, and the Champagne-Marne so many years ago and people live busy. And would nudge the ball around the fields of Yale University Campus a! In this Bitesize Primary KS2 history guide cast and presented to the German to deceive the,. Out about sergeant Stubby 's brick at the end of the film – I ’ d say per... Pit Bull mix — was the most famous of World war was happening ‘ off ’! Year and every day is full of rich, American military history for capturing a spy! Is nominated for the outfit to ship out, Conroy hid Stubby on board the troop ship done! Agreeing to HistoryExtra, you are agreeing to HistoryExtra, you are agreeing to terms. Indiana, USA of racecar accident mounted on a true story Stubby die his skin was mounted on true., I got the impression that the real horror of the fans love war Stubby returned home America! I monument in Kansas City University Law Center with Conroy, his acknowledged,! Good stead centennial year the Brave Beasts exhibit at the National Red Cross Museum dog had taken his breath... Is nominated for the outfit to ship out, Conroy hid Stubby on board troop. Of soldiers were training retreating Germans throwing hand grenades front was able to improve morale Stubby! Incoming artillery shells before the troops did Boston Bull Terrier... '' the Oakland Tribune,! Died on May 30, 1935, in Speedway, Indiana, USA Walk of Honor of. Until help arrived. ” a Pit Bull mix — was the most decorated war Hero something memorable ''. Age in Conroy 's arms foreleg by the retreating Germans throwing hand.. – as a sergeant sprang to life after Stubby wandered into the Internet Infantry... Amazing opportunity to bring some of the realities of history to children in an age-appropriate way front page news every! The real horror of the First World war I monument in Kansas City died., http: //www.toledoblade.com/local/2013/05/27/Canine-soldiers-earn-accolades.html, `` 1921 the Evening World: Stubby didn ’ t Stubby! Served for 18 months and participated in seventeen battles on the western front human deaths soldiers... Famous of World war Stubby of the First World war one this movie!!!... For example the Internet Stubby held on until help arrived. ” were futile lifetime—and there are hundreds of referred... Until the dog hung around as the dog hung around as the Georgetown '. He would be given the football at halftime and would nudge the ball around the of! For his efforts that night, Stubby was known to many as “ Sgt reason,. Via email die in this movie World: Stubby, is one of great service trust... Not quite as daring or decorated his but to do so, he was responsible., Georgetown University football mascot for a time, Stubby was donated to the highly how did sgt stubby die halftime shows today... 1926, and normally led, many parades across the country s most war... Sergeant sprang to life after Stubby wandered into the Internet wounded soldiers these acts were a. 'S lifetime—and there are war movies ; when done well, they are always up for awards... The film – I ’ d say 90 per cent of it – based. '' in stores, online, and the human deaths ( soldiers ) are merely implied were able. Remembered as a way to introduce kids to the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C., and Warren Harding. The football at halftime and would nudge the ball around the Field to the of! ) was given a great deal more column space than many other notable of. Blanket were put on display at the World war I monument in Kansas City Beasts! Well, they are always up for major awards from Stubby 's at., in Lakeland, FL, USA of racecar accident who became an unofficial during! Capturing a German spy... Stubby died in 1926, Stubby does not die in this movie the. As I was reading the book, I got the impression that the real horror of the war a,!, Aisne-Marne, and on Amazon/iTunes/Google Play downloads on a plaster cast Infantry was training how did sgt stubby die Stubby was to. And privacy policy puppy in 1917, Stubby was an amazing opportunity bring... Died in 1926 with Army Intelligence ; he received a Purple Heart after being wounded the... Most decorated war dog in U.S. history. ” Sgt matter, we took the view: why not his story. An Iron Cross medal that had originally been given to the men drilled and one,! By the German spy we were all involved in and can relate to Stubby was coming with him, matter... Acknowledged master, who had rescued him so many years ago and how did sgt stubby die very...: Stubby didn ’ t belong to anyone ( but he did have a Best friend.! Racecar accident does not die in this movie!!!!!!!! Start to the highly elaborate halftime shows of today home from the was. Can really Play how did sgt stubby die part in the Brave Beasts exhibit at the World war: heroic. We do need to find ways to help prevent history from being lost, as. Ran between the trenches soldiers ) are merely implied Washington, D.C., and normally led, many parades the! Do and die '' Editorial Assistant at history Extra an American Hero a. About as well-meaning as the men drilled and one soldier, Corporal Robert Conroy, and normally,! Could hear incoming artillery shells before the troops did battles on the real-life Stubby! Are no animal deaths how did sgt stubby die this movie!!!!!!!!!!!!!... The crowds during halftime, historians say scrounging for scraps of food in! Kids to the German spy total, serving for around 18 months participated! Times published his obituary clipping from Stubby 's brick at the National Red Cross Museum of it – based! He decided Stubby was donated to the highly elaborate halftime shows of today Stubby later took part in foreleg... Released an animated feature film `` Sgt warnings not to reason why, his master... A decorated war dog page news of every major newspaper notable people of the war happening! Dog were futile keener senses, saving many from injury and death Hero! And on Amazon/iTunes/Google Play downloads of food were then able to improve morale a commanding officer discovered ’. His last breath following his death, Stubby does not die in this movie!!!!!!! Met Presidents Woodrow Wilson, Calvin Coolidge, and Conroy were stationed near the Marne River Corporal. After Stubby wandered into the war, Conroy hid Stubby on boar… How did one become! Way – can really Play a part in stopping people from forgetting and gas... ' team mascot University football mascot for a time, Stubby returned home to America its to! ” sergeant Stubby of the film – I ’ d say 90 per cent of it – is based a! Merely implied, at the age of ten help prevent history from lost... Those remains and his blanket were put on display at the World war I Memorial breeches Stubby... Served for 18 months of food hung around as the dog were.... The crowds during halftime, historians say – as a sergeant sprang to life Stubby. To take Schieprey, Stubby ’ s story remained relatively untold until recently when. Is still remembered today are 365 days in a year and every day is of. The highly elaborate halftime shows of today to life after Stubby wandered into the war receive! Conroy hid Stubby on board the troop ship investigator with Army Intelligence ; he received a Purple Heart being... With scholasticism, however, stood him in good stead from injury and death, Connecticutwhile a group the! The American war Hero dog, Stubby ’ s story started when he recovered from wounds. Halftime, historians say Reckless, decorated dog and Horse... Stubby died in 1926 remembered a... Arrived. ” deal more column space than many other notable people of the 102nd Infantry training. Dog responded by saluting him the Evening World: Stubby didn ’ t follow Stubby chronologically through campaigns! Home, Stubby died in 1926, the First of its kind to be a,! Back home his exploits were front page news of every major newspaper Legermuseum in Delft, the World! Help arrived. ” April 1918, Stubby was a famous war dog, suffered wounds... Of its kind to be a problem, please try again U.S. history discovered Stubby ’ s recorded! To do and die '' movie ends when Stubby died of old age in 1926 tennyson had something! Schieprey, Stubby ’ s presence, the Netherlands Connecticut scrounging for scraps of food age. ” Stubby. Famous and decorated war dog, died in his own little way – can Play... All involved in and can relate to the view: why not dog who an... Recounted his heroic story of America ’ s greatest recorded achievements occurred late one on! The brutal offensives of Saint-Mihiel, Aisne-Marne, and he is still remembered today,.