On The Job,Military Police of the Vietnam War

Lt. John McNamara XO of the 212th Sentry Dog Co. at Tan Son Nhut Air Base in Saigon. These sentry dogs played a vital role in
protection of military facilties and personnel and are to be honored. Ed Bodwell, above/right, with his sentry dog Donner. Ed
and Bill Bennett take a break with their dogs outside of the ammo dump at Long Binh. Right, Mike Siddell and Duke, 9th
Infantry Division MPs.

It is estimated that over 4,000 dogs served their country, 500 killed-in-action. Not only for
sentry purposes, but to detect land mines, booby trap, weapons and even the enemy. These
dogs were either put to sleep or left to an unknown fate. A sad legacy for these heroes.

Dan Byrd standing outside of Company Headquarters of the 212th MPs and with his dog Prince (right) .
Dan now lives in Florida.

Dan with two unknown MPs in a jeep with their sentry dog. Right, Ed Bodwell puts Donner through his paces.

Jim Anderson and his faithful dog "Rebel". Jim was with the 981st MP Sentry Dog Company out of Cam Ranh Bay. Jim
had to change dogs when Rebel developed cataracts and his new dog was named "Pete". Jim spent time in Ban Me Thuot
and Tuy Hoa from '69-'70. Ralph Mance with his dog, Bruno, also of the 981st. Right, Ed (helmet in hand) with Danny Ort
and Bill Bennett. Ed's dog died the next night of the Malaysian tic disease.

A salute to the war dogs and their handlers. There
must have been great sadness when you left each others
side. There's a dog patiently waiting in heaven for all
of you.

Loyal, faithful companions.
Good soldiers there to
serve. Only wanting the
acceptance, admiration and
love of their handlers.

"...we will meet
again old friend..."

Dan Byrd today. Retired Captain
with the Florida Marine Patrol for 30
years. Has three grown children and
still resides in Florida.

WAR DOGS OF VIETNAM

Art Peterson and his dog Gunner at Lackland AFB get ready to ship to Vietnam. At right his dog Fritz at An Son.
Art was in the 981st MP Company. Dale Carlton, 981st MP Company.

LAPD Chief William Bratton (also of the 212th MP CO dog handlers) and with Ernie Ayala today. Me, Chief, Ernie, taken at March AFB 2/19/06, dog
handlers ceremony. Ernie and Heidi below. Ernie Ayala, Michael Keach and Charlie Calkins chatting at Tay Ninh. 212th loads up for patrol, below.

Charles Hahn and his dog Duken patrol the Long Binh ammo dump in 1967. Tom Hargreaves and his dog Devil.
James Booth and Eric, Ernie Ayala, Alan Coffin, SP4 Campbell and Smokey. Kneeling is vet specialist Gary Tuoey.
This group has just finished a perimeter patrol around Vinh Long during the Tet Offensive.

More Vietnam Vet dog handlers to the left. Left to right, top to bottom, Dunlap, Hampton, Perry,
Halbmaier, Martin Poss, Luz, McDonough, Moore, Click.
These guys were Air Force dog handlers.

On The Job

MAIL

Marine Dog Handlers at a War Dog ceremony at March Air Force Base,
Riverside, CA, 2/06.

981st MP dog handlers. Jack Duffel and his dog Rebel, right, were with the 212th MP Company. Ron Saville was
stationed at U-Tapao Royal Thailand Air Bae watching our backs. His dog is Shep.

Charles Penley and his two dogs Rebel and Smokey. Charles was with the Air
Force 377th SP K9 at Tan Son Nhut. Steve Terry and Sargeant, 212th MP CO,
Vinh Long. Sargeant 25X1 in the exercise yard.

Home
View/Sign
Guest Book

William Orbit_Adagio for Strings