Wynne's WWII mascot Smoky honored

This item was from Steve Esrati et al

On April 25, 2011, (former PD photographer) Bill Wynne, along with two grandsons (Will and Andy 
Tabar) flew to Liverpool, England to receive a special British honor for 
Smoky.  The "guys" 
were indeed in England for the Royal Wedding but weren't in London. They 
watched the pomp along with about 2,000 other people on a big screen TV 
in a park in Liverpool. They are flying back May 2nd and will probably 
be a bit jet lagged. Congratulations to Bill Wynne and Smoky! 
(billsmoky@aol.com)
Regards,
Marcia Wynne Deering



News Release: UK

Date of issue: 27 April 2011

www.pdsa.org.uk

British honour for American soldier dog, Smoky

Smoky, a Yorkshire Terrier who became an American World War II mascot, 
today (27 April 2011) received the PDSA Certificate for animal bravery.

The presentation of the posthumous award to Smoky took place at the PDSA 
PetAid hospital in Liverpool. Smoky’s owner, Bill Wynne (age 89), a 
United States veteran of the war in the Pacific, who had travelled from 
his home in Cleveland Ohio for the ceremony, said he was delighted and 
honoured: “Smoky was not just my dog she was a friend to everyone who 
served alongside us in the Pacific conflict. She was an inspiration to 
everyone she met during her wartime career and later in civilian life 
too. For her bravery to be recognised in Britain is very special.”

The act of bravery that earned the courageous little dog the PDSA 
Certificate took place in January 1945. Bill and Smoky were part of the 
150,000 strong US fighting force taking part in the Southwest Pacific 
Theatre of Operations in the Philippine Islands. As the Battle of Luzon 
raged, Corporal Bill Wynne of the 26th photographic Reconnaissance 
Squadron, 5th United States Air Forces, was approached by Sergeant Gapp 
of the Communications section with a request: could Smoky, the 
Squadron’s mascot, take vital communication cables through an eight inch 
wide, 70 foot long drainage culvert under the airstrip? If she could, 
the airstrip would not have to be dug up or the men and ‘planes exposed 
to the constant enemy fire.

Smoky, who was only seven inches tall and weighed just four pounds, 
delivered the cable with huge encouragement and praise from her devoted 
owner Bill. In doing so she protected the lives of 250 men and saved 40 
US war planes from being destroyed by Japanese bombers.

“When Smoky was faced with her moment of truth, her ultimate test of 
character, this brave terrier did not shy away from her duty or 
disappoint her master,” said Jan McLoughlin, PDSA Director General, who 
presented Smoky’s posthumous Certificate for animal bravery. “Even if 
Smoky felt fear, did not stop her, nor prevent her from succeeding at 
the very moment it mattered most to her friends and colleagues.”

Smoky’s reward that day in 1945 was the biggest steak the canteen could 
find. She also won the recognition that she was no longer just a mascot: 
from then on she was regarded by her fellow soldiers as a serving war 
dog. With Bill at her side, Smoky served in the Pacific until the end of 
the war.

After the formal instrument of surrender was signed on 2 September 1945 
on the battleship USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, Bill and Smoky began to 
prepare for demob and the journey home to Cleveland. By this time 
Smoky’s coat, which Bill made from a green felt card table cover, 
bristled with military honours including Wings for 12 combat missions, 
the Asiatic Pacific campaign ribbon with eight battle stars, the 
Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two battle stars, and two Presidential 
Unit Citations (equivalent of the UK’s Distinguished Service Cross). 
Smoky died peacefully in her bed in Bill’s home, on 21 February 1957. 
There are six official memorials to Smoky in the US.

The PDSA Certificate for animal bravery was instituted in 2001 and each 
winner’s story is a unique account of inspiring bravery. Smoky is the 
eleventh recipient, and the first animal that served in WWII to be 
awarded the Certificate. Smoky has six Memorials nationally in the U.S. 
Smoky is the heroine of a memoir by Wynne titled " YORKIE DOODLE DANDY, 
or The Other Woman Was A Real dog."

PDSA - founded as the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals of the Poor 
in 1917 by Maria Dickin - is now the UK's leading veterinary charity. 
PDSA provides over 2 million free veterinary treatments for sick pets of 
needy and eligible owners each year. The charity does not receive 
government funding but relies entirely on donations to carry out its 
work. Maria Dickin CBE introduced the PDSA Dickin Medal in 1943 to 
recognise animal gallantry during WWII and its aftermath. .The PDSA Gold 
Medal for animal bravery, the Certificate and Commendation were 
introduced in 2001.

For more details go to www.pdsa.org.uk/about-us/animal-bravery-awards

ENDS

Notes to Editors

PDSA is the UK’s leading veterinary charity, providing free veterinary 
care for the sick and injured pets of people in need and promoting 
responsible pet ownership. For further information, photos and 
interviews, please contact Emily Malcolm or Isabel George in the Press 
Office on 01952 204 767, or e-mail malcolm.emily@pdsa.org.uk or 
george.isabel@pdsa.org.uk. For more information about PDSA visit 
www.pdsa.org.uk/mediacentre