A group of World War II dogs - including 25 killed in action - have been recognized for their heroic service on the island of Guam.
A statue of Kurt, a Doberman pinscher who saved the lives of 250 Marines when he alerted them to Japanese soldiers, was dedicated Friday at the University of Tennessee's College of Veterinary Medicine.Kurt was the first dog to die in the Guam effort and the first to be buried in the war dog cemetery on the island.
The statue, called "Always Faithful," is a duplicate of a statue dedicated in Guam in July 1994. They are believed to be the only memorials commemorating World War II Marine dogs.
The dogs were taught to detect mines, carry supplies and to alert troops in foxholes at night of approaching enemy soldiers. In order to not give away their positions, the dogs were trained not to bark but to point or emit a low growl.