Sentry Dog Platoon
Click On Picture to Enlarge

Dog teams stationed at RC#3 answered many calls to duty. Whether it was to guard the perimeter of an ammo dump, a barracks, or work in the demilitarized zone, these teams kept vigil over their post until relieved. Many a time we watched the handler and his faithful dog climb into the back of a truck soon bound for the zone and certain danger. This man and animal team were placed in position ahead of the patrol to warn of imminent dangers and were the first to receive hostile fire and possibly the first to be wounded or killed by that fire. The team also provided security on the outposts in the zone and walked the barrier fence between North and South Korea knowing that if fired upon the rifle slung on their back was useless in the first few valuable seconds of engagement. The dog would be released immediately to attack while the handler dove to the ground reaching frantically for his weapon, knowing full well that his faithful partner would probably be injured or killed. To these courageous men and their valiant dogs this page is dedicated.

Pfc. Jack L Tyrrell, Jr. assigned to C Co, 1st Bn, 38th Inf, 2nd US Inf Div was identified by 8th Army officials Saturday as the dog handler wounded by Communist infiltrators. Tyrrell was leading a small patrol when it was fired upon by North Koreans south of the demilitarized zone. Tyrrell's Sentry dog, Blackie, was killed by automatic weapons fire. Article from the 2nd Div Indianhead.

 
Dog Platoon taken late spring 1967. Photo is from the 1967 1st Bn 38th Inf yearbook. Unknown Sentry Dog 1.
Handlers working with their dogs on RC#3 ball field. Photo from yearbook. Unknown Sentry Dog 2.
Another view of handlers working with their dogs. Drills in morning to avoid heat. Unknown Sentry Dog 3.
Wayne putting Mike through his mean tricks for the camera and Indianhead. 6 Mar 1968 Unknown Sentry Dog 4.
Sp4 Bowens and dog posing for yearbook. Dogs name not known. Unknown Sentry Dog 5.
Dwayne and Andre posing for yearbook in 1967. Unknown Sentry Dog 6.
Sp4 McKnight and Shane posing in the kennels in 1969. Unknown Sentry Dog 7.
Kurt tied to a post. He is intently watching something. Probably the camerman's leg. Unknown Sentry Dog 8.
Indianhead article 6 Mar 1968 printed with picture of Wayne and Mike. Unknown Sentry Dog 9.
Dog Kennels at RC#3 in 1969. Soldier is unknown. Picture by Merlin.
Dog Handlers of 1969. The Dog Platoon was disbanded in late summer of 1969. Photo by Merlin.
Handlers beside Dog Kennel Kitchen. Merlin is Sgt. on right.
Merlin and his partner Max, in early 1969.
Max
    
A pleasant memory by Ann Campbell. Every night the women's hooch was guarded in the back by a dog, usually without a handler. The dog was tied to a post, with a long leash that allowed the dog to patrol the back door and a good portion of the windows on the back end of the house. Dwayne's dog Andre, frequently was on duty. My bedroom was on that end of the house and the back door was through my bedroom. On warm nights I left the door open and hooked the screen door as long as the dogs were there. Most nights I played my music tapes. Whenever I played Hawaiian music, Andre would lie on his back, all four feet in the air, and howl. I believe he was singing along with the music. Either that or he was in total pain, I don't know. Many times I sang along with him. He never failed to do this every time I played what I thought was his favorite music. Also, my bed was up against the back wall. When I went to bed I could hear Andre breathing and I am sure he heard me breathing. There was just a thin wall between our heads. I think he was comfortable being close to me. I know that I enjoyed his company.
     
Sentry Dog Platoon
 

Sunday, February 05, 2012
For comments or information contact the Webmaster
Copyright ©2012 All Rights Reserved
Your Page count is 7096