Posted on Nov 15, 2016
Meet Lucca: The First American Dog Awarded a British Military Honor
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RP Members and Connection what a great story about Military Service Dogs!
A retired U.S. Marine dog was honored today with the PDSA Dickin Medal, the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross, which is the highest British military decoration awarded for valor.
Lucca, a German shepherd, received the award after completing 400 missions in six years of active service with allied troops in Afghanistan and Iraq and losing a leg on the battlefield.
"It's an incredible honor to be part of this award ceremony today," said her handler Gunnery Sgt. Christopher Willingham.
Willingham deployed to Iraq with Lucca twice after training her for more than a year and says her personality is what made her so perfect for the job.
"She's incredibly intelligent and loyal," Willingham told ABC News. "You can really see her processing information, applying what she learned in a combat environment and be successful. I feel extremely fortunate."
A retired U.S. Marine dog was honored today with the PDSA Dickin Medal, the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross, which is the highest British military decoration awarded for valor.
Lucca, a German shepherd, received the award after completing 400 missions in six years of active service with allied troops in Afghanistan and Iraq and losing a leg on the battlefield.
"It's an incredible honor to be part of this award ceremony today," said her handler Gunnery Sgt. Christopher Willingham.
Willingham deployed to Iraq with Lucca twice after training her for more than a year and says her personality is what made her so perfect for the job.
"She's incredibly intelligent and loyal," Willingham told ABC News. "You can really see her processing information, applying what she learned in a combat environment and be successful. I feel extremely fortunate."
Meet Lucca: The First American Dog Awarded a British Military Honor
Posted from abcnews.go.com
Marines
Dogs
Service Dogs
Honor
Awards
Edited 8 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
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Thanks COL Mikel J. Burroughs for the introduction to Luca which is retired U.S. Marine German Shepherd dog that was honored on April 5, 2016 with the PDSA Dickin Medal, the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross, which is the highest British military decoration awarded for valor.
Kudos to each and every military service dog and their handlers.
LTC Stephen C. Capt Seid Waddell CW5 (Join to see) CW5 Charlie Poulton SGM David W. Carr LOM, DMSM MP SGT SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL SSgt Robert Marx SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" SSgt (Join to see) TSgt Joe C. SGT (Join to see) SGT John " Mac " McConnell SP5 Mark Kuzinski SGT Forrest Stewart SGT Robert Hawks SPC (Join to see)
Kudos to each and every military service dog and their handlers.
LTC Stephen C. Capt Seid Waddell CW5 (Join to see) CW5 Charlie Poulton SGM David W. Carr LOM, DMSM MP SGT SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL SSgt Robert Marx SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" SSgt (Join to see) TSgt Joe C. SGT (Join to see) SGT John " Mac " McConnell SP5 Mark Kuzinski SGT Forrest Stewart SGT Robert Hawks SPC (Join to see)
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SPC David Hack
Sir I think I've seen an article on Lucca before! Isn't she the MWD that lost a limb during an operation as a result of an IED detonation?
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