34th Scout Dog Platoon W Vn Svc Pins and Buttons

1966–1973: Approximately 5,000 US war dogs served in the Vietnam War (the US Army did not retain records prior to 1968); about 10,000 US servicemen served as dog-handlers during the war, and the K9 units are estimated to have saved over 10,000 human lives. 232 military working dogs and 295 US servicemen working as dog handlers were killed in action during the war. It is estimated that about 200 Vietnam War dogs survived the war to be assigned at other US bases outside the US. The remaining canines were euthanized or left behind.

1966–1973: Approximately 5,000 US war dogs served in the Vietnam War (the US Army did not retain records prior to 1968); about 10,000 US servicemen served as dog-handlers during the war, and the K9 units are estimated to have saved over 10,000 human lives. 232 military working dogs and 295 US servicemen working as dog handlers were killed in action during the war. It is estimated that about 200 Vietnam War dogs survived the war to be assigned at other US bases outside the US. The remaining canines were euthanized or left behind.

25th Infantry Platoon Scout Dogs (Bien Hoa) (An Khe)

Today in Vietnam, various scout dog platoons are in wide use among infantry units. The 1st Infantry Division is no exception. They are supported by the 35th at Dian and the 41st Infantry Platoon (Scout Dog) stationed at Lai Khe.

Today in Vietnam, various scout dog platoons are in wide use among infantry units. The 1st Infantry Division is no exception. They are supported by the 35th at Dian and the 41st Infantry Platoon (Scout Dog) stationed at Lai Khe.

The use of dogs as an auxiliary in-war is as old as war itself. Primitive man used dogs to guard his family, his belongings and himself. He also took his dog into battle with him when rival tribes clashed. Throughout the history of warfare, dogs have gone into combat at the side of their masters or have been used in direct support of combat operations. In May 1942 the Army established the K-9 Corps. Throughout World War II, 595 dogs were trained for scouting duties. Some of the canine established distinguished records and were officially cited for outstanding and faithful service. The Army has employed various breeds of dog, and have determined the German Shepherd to be the most suitable for scouting.

In March 1965*, military working dogs were approved for use in Vietnam. By July 17th, forty teams had been deployed to three bases - Tan Son Nhut, Ben Hoa and DaNang. This was only the beginning, by the end of the year there were 99 dogs in the country. By September 1966 more than 500 dog teams were deployed to ten bases. In the seventeen months between July 1965 and December 1966 not a single Viet Cong sapper team penetrated a base guarded by sentry dogs.

From September through November 1966 the soldiers of "Tropic Lightning" participated in Operation Attleboro, East of Tay Ninh City, in War Zone C. In 1967, the 25th and 4th Divisions, both located in the Pleiku area swapped and interchanged men, equipment and commands of a number of units. By the end of 1970 a large portion of Tropic Lightning soldiers had returned stateside to their base at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. Company F (LRP), 50th Infantry Company F (Ranger), 75th Infantry 38th Infantry Platoon (Scout Dog) 40th Infantry Platoon (Scout Dog) 44th Infantry Platoon (Scout Dog) 46th Infantry Platoon (Scout Dog) 66th Infantry Platoon (Combat Tracker)

And the messenger dogs, came through, when torrential rains poured down, blanking out the walkie talkie radio sets. . A report on the drive reads as would others to follow: "Patrol led by the dogs were never ambushed and suffered no casualties." The dogs' service could have no greater tribute!

Today in Vietnam, various scout dog platoons are in wide use among infantry units. The 1st Infantry Division is no exception. They are supported by the 35th at Dian and the 41st Infantry Platoon (Scout Dog) stationed at Lai Khe.

The use of dogs as an auxiliary in-war is as old as war itself. Primitive man used dogs to guard his family, his belongings and himself. He also took his dog into battle with him when rival tribes clashed. Throughout the history of warfare, dogs have gone into combat at the side of their masters or have been used in direct support of combat operations. In May 1942 the Army established the K-9 Corps. Throughout World War II, 595 dogs were trained for scouting duties. Some of the canine established distinguished records and were officially cited for outstanding and faithful service. The Army has employed various breeds of dog, and have determined the German Shepherd to be the most suitable for scouting.

Brigade Reconnaissance 48th Infantry Platoon (Scout Dog) Troop F, 8th Cavalry (Air) Troop F, 17th Cavalry (Armored) 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry (Armored) 64th Infantry Platoon (Combat Tracker)

48th Infantry Platoon Scout Dogs (DaNang). The 48th was with the 196th LIB under American Division. Pleiku/An Khe/LZ Hawk Hill/LZ Baldy/Chu Lai The 48th IPSD was activated at Fort Benning, Georgia, on 2 September 1966, with Lt. Ian L. Jones in command. After training at Fort Benning (1) the unit deployed to Vietnam on 11 January 1967, with a strength of 1 Officer and 14 Enlisted men and 26 dogs.(2) After arriving in Vietnam on 15 January 1967, the Platoon moved to Tay Ninh on 23 January 1967, to join the 196th Light Infantry Brigade (LIB).

48th Infantry Platoon Scout Dogs (DaNang) The 48th was with the 196th LIB under American Division. Pleiku/An Khe/LZ Hawk Hill/LZ Baldy/Chu Lai The 48th IPSD was activated at Fort Benning, Georgia, on 2 September 1966, with Lt. Ian L. Jones in command. After training at Fort Benning (1) the unit deployed to Vietnam on 11 January 1967, with a strength of 1 Officer and 14 Enlisted men and 26 dogs.(2) After arriving in Vietnam on 15 January 1967, the Platoon moved to Tay Ninh on 23 January 1967, to join the 196th Light Infantry Brigade (LIB).

The 48th IPSD was activated at Fort Benning, Georgia, on 2 September 1966, with Lt. Ian L. Jones in command. After training at Fort Benning the unit deployed to Vietnam on 11 January 1967, with a strength of 1 Officer and 14 Enlisted men and 26 dogs. After arriving in Vietnam on 15 January 1967, the Platoon moved to Tay Ninh on 23 January 1967, to join the 196th Light Infantry Brigade (LIB) .

1966–1973: Approximately 5,000 US war dogs served in the Vietnam War (the US Army did not retain records prior to 1968); about 10,000 US servicemen served as dog-handlers during the war, and the K9 units are estimated to have saved over 10,000 human lives. 232 military working dogs and 295 US servicemen working as dog handlers were killed in action during the war. It is estimated that about 200 Vietnam War dogs survived the war to be assigned at other US bases outside the US. The remaining canines were euthanized or left behind.

42nd Infantry Platoon Scout Dog, created during World War II. The unit was created to provide infantry units with early silent warnings of ambushes, booby traps and other dangerous situations. Its greatest use and contribution occurred during the Vietnam conflict. The unit was made up of teams of two; one dog and one dog handler. These teams saved the lives of many combat infantry men. There were over 4,000 dogs sent to Vietnam to work as Scout Dogs, Mine Dogs, Tunnel Dogs, Tracker Dogs and Sentry Dogs.