5.Gander The War Dog
Gander, a Newfoundland, served in the Royal Rifles of Canada during World War II. On December 5, 1941, the same week as the Pearl Harbor bombing, Japan attacked Hong Kong, hoping to wrest the key island from British control. Gander and his unit were deployed to participate in the Battle of Hong Kong, a conflict that the British forces lost.
Casualties on the British side exceeded 2,000 and may have been higher but for the heroism of Gander. On two occasions, the massive dog turned back enemy advances, saving the lives of wounded troops. On a third occasion, a live grenade landed in the midst of the Canadian soldiers. Gander picked it up and ran back toward the Japanese with it. He died when it detonated.
In the years since his death, he has been honored in numerous ways, including earning the Dickin medal, a Canadian award for “displaying conspicious gallantry and devotion to duty.”
