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High Desert Hangar Stories
Yorkie Doodle Dandy:

The tale of Smoky, a small but mighty War Dog

by Bob Alvis Yorkie Doodle Dandy, became famous physically and mentally. For
special to Aerotech News in history as a World War II dog hero for many soldiers suffering from
her brave acts and charming qualities. She wounds of the flesh and the
This past Veterans Day, a special memorial weighed only four pounds. Looking up mind, Smoky was just what
was unveiled in our nation’s capital: for the some information on War Dogs that did not the doctor ordered. Naturally
first time, a memorial including a Military fit the physical description of the powerful affectionate and smart, she
Working Dog is now part of the Washington, breeds we have become accustomed to in the became the first therapy dog on
D.C., landscape. A United States Navy media and history, I found a bit of a story record.
Memorial statue depicts the soldier and its about a long-forgotten Terrier that was just Not only was Smoky a hero,
handler, “Navy sailor John Douangdara and as valuable to its bunk mates as any dog that saving lives from the enemy,
his Belgian Malinois, Bart” who were lost ever served in a combat zone. she helped make life a little
in Afghanistan with other members of the The little Yorkshire terrier was found in easier for those going through
Navy SEALS, when the helicopter they were an abandoned foxhole, dirty and hungry, in a difficult time. Wynne had
traveling on was destroyed by enemy fire. A the New Guinea jungle. Ed Downey, who did noticed what a strong and
not have a liking for dogs, discovered her and uplifting effect she had on the
passed her on to a sergeant named Dare. Dare, troops with her presence and
who needed money for a poker game, sold the personality and antics, like
dog to Cpl. William Wynne in March 1944 chasing after butterflies almost
for two Australian pounds ($6.44 American)
— a lot of money during that time. Wynne, a bigger than her. Shortly after
22-year-old Ohio native, named her Smoky, Wynne got Smoky, he was
and the two spent the next 18 months together hospitalized for dengue fever.
in combat. Unlike official war dogs, Smoky Friends would bring Smoky
did not receive a balanced diet formulated to see him, and the nurses —
for dogs or veterinary services. She shared Courtesy photograph charmed by her and her story
Navy SEAL John Douangdara and his Belgian Malinois war dog, — asked if Smoky could visit
Bart, are depicted in a larger-than-life bronze statue that the other patients. During his five
U.S. Navy Memorial unveiled on Veterans Day. Nov. 11, 2021. day stay at the hospital, Smoky
would sleep with Wynne at
was established. If it wasn’t for the brave night and make rounds during
dog, dozens of men would have had to dig a the day, cheering up other patients. Wynne
trench to get the wire underground, putting began teaching her tricks like walking a
their lives at risk from constant enemy tightrope, riding a handmade scooter and
attacks. What took Smoky only minutes to spelling her own name by picking up letters
accomplish would have taken the men three as Wynne called them out to her. In the down
days to complete. time, Smoky performed her tricks to entertain
Courtesy photograph Heroic acts of war dogs are often portrayed troops with Special Services and in hospitals
from Australia to Korea.
Bill Wynne holds Smoky, the Yorkshire terrier he as attacking an assailant, discovering hidden Over time these stories can get lost to
adopted in the Philippines while serving with the dangers or performing intel operations, but
U.S. Army Air Force during World War II. little Smoky did the best she could with her history, but every once and a while a light
little four-pound body. again shines on them, and we are reminded
Corporal Wynne, who had been around of the great importance that all the War Dogs,
well-earned tribute to those who sacrificed dogs all his life, credited Smoky with saving big or small, need to be recognized for their
contributions and deservedly so. The reality
their lives in service to our country — the his life. While on a tank landing ship near the is that little trooper has six statues that honor
“war dogs,” I feel, are just as deserving of Philippines, under attack from enemy planes, her service and as recently as 2017, a book
honor as any soldier that has been lost to Smoky guided Wynne to duck the fire that hit
enemy action. eight men next to him. He called her an “angel was written about her patriotic service to our
Looking online, it’s not hard to find that Courtesy photograph from a foxhole.” country and our freedoms. Reading the story
there are many such tributes around our Many times, as we all know, it’s the about the well-deserved commemoration of
country. American society has a soft spot Smoky poses beside her trophy from Yank Down connection to a beloved family dog that John Douangdara and Bart that took place
Under magazine during World War II.
for our K-9 friends, no matter if they are can help us overcome life’s challenges both this past Veterans Day, it also pulled a bit
just guarding our homes, giving us love as at my heartstrings. I just wanted to give this
a valued companion, or serving with the four-pound hero a little bit
military in far-off lands. Looking at all the Wynne’s C-rations and an occasional can of love from a guy that has a
statues, I started to do a bit of soul-searching of Spam, and amazingly she was never ill special place in his heart for
and one thing stood out to me that I feel despite the harsh conditions. Both Wynne the “little” dogs that give us
needs to be corrected. The majority of all and Smoky survived 12 combat missions, so much love.
these statues depict breeds like the German 150 air raids and a typhoon. At the end of the war,
Shepherd, or dogs of similar stature, that Smoky was awarded eight battle stars. Wynne and Yorkie Doodle
shows the strength of a powerful dog that One notable feat she performed helped Dandy continued to visit
we would associate with an American save the lives of some 250 men and hospitals to help recuperating
soldier in combat. However, as the saying 40 planes, thanks to her small size. In soldiers back home. Smoky
goes, sometimes good things come in small January 1945, a communications cable retired in 1955 and passed
packages! Throughout our history, there was urgently needed to run through a away two years later in her
have been many small dog breeds that have 70-foot pipe under the runway at an sleep at the age of 14. This
performed heroic deeds and have earned the airbase in Luzon. The pipe was only famous and incredible little
right to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with their eight inches in diameter and was half- war dog has earned her place
larger counterparts. Case in point: a story that filled with dirt and mold. Not having the in the history books of the
goes to show that in the heat of combat, a proper equipment, the men pinned their American military and from
little four-legged soldier can be a two-legged hopes on Smoky to solve the problem. this old veteran, I respectfully
soldier’s best friend and a lifesaver when the They tied kite string to her collar, which salute this champion of the
chips are down. was used to thread the wires through American spirit.
the pipe. Wynne coaxed her forward Courtesy photograph Until next time, Bob out ….
Yorkie Doodle Dandy: World War II by calling her to come to the other side. One of the best known dogs in World War II, little four pound Smoky
Dog Hero Smoky was hesitant at first, but made it was called “the best mascot in the South Pacific” by Yank magazine
This adorable dog, given the nickname through and the communication network which featured this photo with a story.
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