John Robert Conroy may have regretted bringing his bull terrier to France in World War I — the dog became the star of his unit. It won:

• 3 Service Stripes
• Yankee Division YD Patch
• French Medal, Battle of Verdun
• 1st Annual American Legion Convention Medal, Minneapolis
• New Haven World War I Veterans Medal
• Republic of France Grande War Medal
• St. Mihiel Campaign Medal
• Purple Heart (retroactive)
• Chateau Thierry Campaign Medal
• 6th Annual American Legion Convention
• Humane Education Society Gold Medal

I’m not making any of that up. “Sergeant Stubby” fought in the trenches for a year and a half, warning of poison gas attacks, finding wounded soldiers, and listening for incoming shells. He met Woodrow Wilson and John Pershing, was wounded several times, and even learned to salute. His remains are on display at the Smithsonian.