Vietnam War "K-9". In 1964, the US Air Force bought German Shepherd Nemo, he received sentry dog training, issued serial number A534 and sent to Vietnam in January 1966. Nemo and his partner Airman 2nd Class Robert Thorneburg became one of the sentry dog teams of the 377th Air Police Squadron at Tan Son Nut Air Base, Saigon. On December 3, 1966, two Vietcong units tried to infiltrate the base. Thorneburg and Nemo were on duty at an old Vietnamese graveyard near the air base's runways. Nemo detected several VCs making an assault, his handler was wounded and Nemo was shot in the muzzle. Ignoring his serious head wound, the 85-pound dog threw himself at the four Vietcong guerrillas giving Thorneburg the time to call in backup to secure the attack. Then they rushed Thorneburg and Nemo back to the base center for emergency medical care. The base veterinarian performed surgery but Nemo lost his right eye. In July 1967, he returened to the United States as the first sentry dog officially retired from active service. His service to his country did not end. The War Department awarded Nemo full military honors as an Air Force canine hero and recruiter. He made television appearances and helped maintain an adequate supply of dogs for all the armed services. He served as mascot at the Department of Defense Dog Center, Lackland AFB, Texas until his death. A permanent grave stone with his name, serial number and details of his heroic exploit remind students just how important a dog is to the handler and the entire unit.
Vietnam War "K-9". In 1964, the US Air Force bought German Shepherd Nemo, he received sentry dog training, issued serial number A534 and sent to Vietnam in January 1966. Nemo and his partner Airman 2nd Class Robert Thorneburg became one of the sentry dog teams of the 377th Air Police Squadron at Tan Son Nut Air Base, Saigon. On December 3, 1966, two Vietcong units tried to infiltrate the base. Thorneburg and Nemo were on duty at an old Vietnamese graveyard near the air base's runways. Nemo detected several VCs making an assault, his handler was wounded and Nemo was shot in the muzzle. Ignoring his serious head wound, the 85-pound dog threw himself at the four Vietcong guerrillas giving Thorneburg the time to call in backup to secure the attack. Then they rushed Thorneburg and Nemo back to the base center for emergency medical care. The base veterinarian performed surgery but Nemo lost his right eye. In July 1967, he returened to the United States as the first sentry dog officially retired from active service. His service to his country did not end. The War Department awarded Nemo full military honors as an Air Force canine hero and recruiter. He made television appearances and helped maintain an adequate supply of dogs for all the armed services. He served as mascot at the Department of Defense Dog Center, Lackland AFB, Texas until his death. A permanent grave stone with his name, serial number and details of his heroic exploit remind students just how important a dog is to the handler and the entire unit.
