Always Faithful | Land, Life & Science

A red, white, and blue floral wreath lies at the foot of the War Dog Memorial located in front of the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine. Photo by Phil Snow.

War Dog Memorial at UTCVM Marks Anniversary

On July 21, 1944, more than 59,000 United States soldiers, sixty canine protectants, and 110 handlers entered into combat during World War II to liberate the island of Guam. The US territory, including its strategic harbor and valuable airstrips, had been under Japanese occupation for almost three years. While the battle ended in a matter of weeks, the victory cost many lives, both of soldiers and of their faithful canine counterparts.

During the liberation, the Marine Corps’ 2nd and 3rd War Dog Platoons were deployed. Dogs within these platoons were mostly Doberman pinschers; however, other breeds such as German shepherds and Labrador retrievers also were members of the platoons. In combat, the dogs served as sentries, messengers, and scouts; explored caves; and detected mines and booby traps.

Throughout the nearly three-week-long Battle of Guam, the War Dog Platoons saved hundreds of soldiers’ lives. Because of their faithful service to their country, the National War Dog Cemetery and “Always Faithful” War Dog Memorial were established in Guam in 1994—the fiftieth anniversary of the island’s recapture. The “Always Faithful” Doberman pinscher statue commemorates the twenty-five loyal and noble canines who sacrificed their lives during the second Battle of Guam. The memorial features Kurt, the first military working dog killed in action on Guam. In total, the War Dogs who helped liberate the island received forty Purple Hearts.

This moment in history resonated with Maurice Acree, a physician who was a Korean War veteran and client of the UT College of Veterinary Medicine. After bringing his two Doberman pinscher dogs to the college’s Veterinary Medical Center for specialized treatments and care, Acree contacted the sculptor of the original “Always Faithful” War Dog Memorial, Susan Bahary, to create a replica of the original memorial statue. Acree donated the recreated piece to the college on July 17, 1998, nearly twenty-five years after the end of the second Battle of Guam. Doberman pinschers always had a special place in Acree’s heart and so did the valorous acts of the 2nd and 3rd Marine Corps War Dog Platoons. While Acree passed away in 2013, his generous donation continues to provide education about the heroic acts of war dogs while also recognizing the bond that exists between people and dogs. He also created an endowment, the Acree Chair in Small Animal Medicine, at the college to support research dedicated to the prevention and treatment of companion animal diseases and advancement of that knowledge into human medicine when possible.

On Saturday, July 15, 2023, the college hosted a re-dedication ceremony to commemorate both the second Battle of Guam and the donation of the “Always Faithful” War Dog Memorial. More than 140 people attended the event, which began with an educational program about the war in Guam, an overview of the history of the monument, and educational programs highlighting the importance of war dogs in the military.

Mark McDonald in uniform at the War Dog Memorial ceremony — Mark McDonald, retired colonel and treasurer of the UT Reserve Officers’ Training Corps alumni council, participates in the outdoor re-dedication ceremony of the War Dog Memorial at the UT College of Veterinary Medicine. Photo by Phil Snow.

Dean Jim Thompson speaking at the podium — College of Veterinary Medicine Dean Jim Thompson delivered remarks at this year’s War Dog Memorial re-dedication ceremony. Appreciation of the selfless service of military dogs, both in the Battle of Guam, which the statuary commemorates, and in service since, including as police K9s, and as bomb and drug-detection dogs, showed in the emotions of speakers at the event. Photo by Phil Snow.

The event had very special guests in attendance, such as Bahary, the original sculptor of the “Always Faithful” Memorial in Guam; Marilyn Childress, president of the Veterans Heritage Site Foundation in Knoxville; Geoff Freeman, a retired brigadier general and current president of the UT Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Alumni Council; John Homa, a US Air Force security police K9 handler and member of the board of directors at the Military Working Dog Heritage Museum; Albert Johnson, a US Marine Corps dog handler and president of the Military Working Dog Heritage Museum in Newport, Tennessee; Mark McDonald, a retired colonel and present treasurer of the UT Army ROTC Alumni Council; and Julian McDonald, a retired staff sergeant for the US Army.

Several university members had important roles in presentations at the event. Participants include Chris Magra, director of the UT Center for the Study of Tennesseans and War; DJ Krahwinkle, professor emeritus of UTCVM; and Kate Stanford (DVM ’22), a retired Marine Corps handler.

After the indoor events took place, event participants went outside to the memorial and participated in a solemn ceremony complete with bellringing, laying of the wreath, 21-gun salute, the playing of “Taps,” and a helicopter flyover by the Knox County Sheriff’s Office.