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Smoky, a Yorkshire Terrier who rose to fame during World War II, left an indelible mark on the military and the world. This four-pound, seven-inch tall Yorkie was more than just a pet or mascot – she was a soldier, a source of morale, and a war hero who played a pivotal role in military operations in the Pacific. Her service to the military not only earned her numerous awards and accolades, but also sparked a renewed interest in the Yorkshire Terrier breed, once largely obscure.
From an Abandoned Foxhole to the Front lines
In the jungle of New Guinea, February 1944, Smoky was discovered by an American soldier in an abandoned foxhole. The young adult Yorkie was initially believed to be a Japanese dog. However, after realizing she didn’t respond to Japanese or English commands, the soldiers understood she wasn’t a dog of the enemy. Smoky was then sold to Corporal William A. Wynne of Cleveland, Ohio, for two Australian pounds, an amount equivalent to $6.44 at the time.
From that moment, Smoky accompanied Wynne throughout the rest of the war. Back-packed through combat flights in the Pacific, she braved the primitive conditions of living in the New Guinea jungle and the Rock Islands. Her diet consisted of shared C-rations and the occasional can of Spam. Despite the lack of veterinary medicine or a balanced dog diet, she never fell ill. Smoky was a testament to resilience and adaptability, running on coral for four months without any of the paw ailments that plagued some military dogs.
An Army Dog with a Heart of a Lion
Serving in the South Pacific with the 5th Air Force, 26th Photo Reconnaissance Squadron, Smoky embarked on 12 air/sea rescue and photo reconnaissance missions. During these missions, she spent long hours in a soldier’s pack, dangling near machine guns warding off enemy fighters.
Smoky was credited with twelve combat missions and awarded eight battle stars. She survived 150 air raids on New Guinea, a typhoon at Okinawa, and even parachuted from a tree 30 feet in the air using a military dog carrying harness specially made for her. One of her most notable feats was saving Wynne and other soldiers from incoming shells on a transport ship. Guiding Wynne to safety amid booming and vibrating anti-aircraft gunnery, Smoky proved to be more than a mascot – she was an ‘angel’ from a foxhole.
The Champion Mascot in the Southwest Pacific Area
In downtime, Smoky learned numerous tricks, which she performed for the entertainment of troops. Smoky’s tricks and amiable nature made her a cherished figure among the soldiers, lifting their spirits in the grim reality of war. In 1944, she was named the “Champion Mascot in the Southwest Pacific Area” by the Yank Down Under magazine.
Her tricks also played a key role in military operations. Smoky’s size enabled her to assist in the construction of an airbase at Lingayen Gulf, Luzon. The engineers needed to run a telegraph wire through a 70-foot-long pipe, filled with soil in some places, leaving only four inches of headway. Smoky successfully ran through the pipe, pulling the necessary telegraph wire, and played a crucial role in building the airfield for Allied warplanes.
Smoky, the Star: From War Hero to TV Sensation
After the war, Smoky didn‘t just retire. She became a national sensation, with her story featured on the front page of the Cleveland Press on December 7, 1945. Over the next ten years, she and Wynne traveled to Hollywood and around the world, showcasing her remarkable skills, which included walking a tightrope while blindfolded.
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