Tiny Terrier Takes on the Enemy: The Incredible Story of Smoky the War Dog
Adopted Yorkshire Terrier Smoky, rescued during World War II by Bill Wynne while serving with the U.S. Army Air Force, is currently being held by Wynne.
Let's dive right in, brother!
A Narrow Escape at Lingayen Gulf
In the epic theater of World War II, the Philippine Islands served as the backdrop for countless battles, none more brutal than the assault on Lingayen Gulf. With daily air raids tearing through the skies above, the Allied airfield was in dire straits – particularly its communication system. The American commanders were in a desperate need to run telephone lines through a narrow, 70-foot pipe that connected the base to three separate squadrons. However, they lacked the necessary equipment for the job.
The pipe itself was simply eight inches in diameter, making a traditional trench dug by dozens of men a dangerous, time-consuming option. Instead, our heroes decided to take an unconventional approach. They pinned their hopes on an unassuming, four-pound Yorkshire Terrier known as Smoky.
Smoky: The Tiniest of Heroes
Smoky was adopted by Corporal Bill Wynne, a 22-year-old Ohioan, during a stint in New Guinea. She was underfed, scrawny, and had been crudely sheared by a fellow soldier. But Wynne, a lifelong dog lover, saw the potential in the small creature and paid the asking price of two Australian pounds for her. He named her Smoky, and together they would face dengue fever, air raids, typhoons, and 12 combat missions.
A Pipe of Life
As Wynne lay recuperating in the 233rd Station Hospital, Smoky brought joy, laughter, and a sense of purpose to the wounded soldiers around her. The nurses noticed the positive effect she had on the men, and they welcomed her to visit other patients. This experience led Wynne to believe that Smoky had a remarkable ability to heal, to ease the pain of war.
As the pair worked to revive the communication network at Lingayen Gulf, Smoky proved her worth. Guided by kite string tied to her collar, she dove into the narrow pipe and threaded her way through, allowing the military to establish much-needed channels of communication. That bold act is estimated to have saved the lives of 250 men and 40 planes.
From War Hero to Therapy Dog
Smoky's tale spread far and wide, and she and Wynne were invited to perform at hospitals in Australia during convalescence leave. The tiny dog brought light and laughter to the wounded soldiers, easing their pain and boosting their morale.
Smoky was not alone in her role as a therapy dog. In hospitals across the States, dogs were gradually being recognized for their healing abilities. The trend began in earnest after the war, with civilians donating hundreds of dogs to aid in the recovery of injured soldiers. Smoky herself continued to visit hospitals when she returned home, retiring in 1955 and passing away in 1957, at the age of 14.
In the end, Smoky was truly an instrument of love, bringing hope and healing to those who needed it most.
Stay tuned for our next episode: A War Dog Fills a Void!
Check out parts one, two, three, and four of our series.
Rebecca Frankel, a senior editor at Foreign Policy Magazine, will release a book called War Dogs: Tales of Canine Heroism, History, and Love in October.
The inspiring story of Smoky, the war dog, serves as a testament to the resilience and adaptability of animals in the face of war-and-conflicts and general-news, as she helped save countless lives by running telephone lines through a narrow pipe during the Battle of Lingayen Gulf.
In the aftermath of World War II, the healing powers of dogs were recognized, leading to the widespread use of therapy dogs in hospitals, with Smoky, the unassuming four-pound Yorkshire Terrier, making a significant contribution, not only as a hero of war but also as a beacon of hope and healing in times of politics and history's darkest moments.
