LUCCA DM 67 PDSA DICKIN MEDAL LUCCA DM 67 “For tireless service to the military communities of the United States of America and coalition partners from 2006 to 2012.” Date of Award: 5 April 2016 LUCCA’S STORY Lucca, a German Shepherd-Belgian Malinois cross, worked as a Specialized Search Dog with US Marine Corps for six years, completing tours in both Afghanistan and Iraq. She successfully completed more than 400 individual missions during her time in service. She is credited with protecting thousands of human lives – not one human casualty was recorded under her watch. After training together, Lucca and Gunnery Sergeant Chris Willingham served together for two tours in Iraq. In 2007, they conducted clearing operations along the Tigris River, South of Baghdad. In 2008, they conducted counter insurgency operations around Diwaniyah. Lucca made several finds; including weapons caches, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and bombs. She was also directly responsible for the apprehension of four insurgents. In November 2011 Lucca and her new handler Corporal Juan Rodriguez were selected from 60 Military Working Dog teams to deploy to Afghanistan in support of the Marine Expeditionary Force. “NOT ONE HUMAN CASUALTY WAS RECORDED UNDER HER WATCH ...” Lucca and Cpl Rodriguez led 75 patrols in Helmand Province; an area heavily laden with IEDs. They were at the front of the patrols to ensure the safety of those behind them. Despite being targeted with gunfire on several occasions, they successfully continued their search for IEDs. On 7 March 2012, Lucca and Cpl Rodriguez were leading a foot patrol when Lucca gave an indication which Cpl Rodriguez quickly recognised, and he called the patrol to a halt. A pressure plate IED had been placed directly in the patrol’s line of travel. Once the IED was cleared, Lucca and Cpl Rodriguez led the patrol safely back to their base. On her final patrol, on 23 March 2012, Lucca discovered a 30lb IED and as she searched for additional devices , a second bomb detonated. She instantly lost her front left leg and suffered severe burns to her chest. Cpl Rodriguez administered life-saving first aid to Lucca. Miraculously, none of the soldiers in the patrol were injured in the blast which injured her. Lucca was airlifted to Germany to undergo further treatment and rehabilitation. Just ten days after the incident, Lucca was walking again. She was officially retired from service in 2012 and was adopted by her original handler, Gunnery Sergeant Chris Willingham. Lucca was awarded a PDSA Dickin Medal on 5 April 2016 – the first US Marine Corps dog to receive such an honour. Her citation reads: “For tireless service to the military communities of the United States of America and coalition partners from 2006 to 2012.” Her bravery was also recognised with an unofficial Purple Heart plaque and her story has since been turned into a book – Top Dog: The Story of Marine Hero Lucca by Maria Goodavage. DM THE PDSA DICKIN MEDAL The close relationship between humans and animals is rarely more profound than in times of conflict. Throughout history, animals have stood alongside humans in action and shown incredible bravery and devotion to duty when confronted with the horrors of war. Our founder, Maria Dickin, CBE, introduced the PDSA Dickin Medal on 2 December 1943, at the height of World War II. A tireless campaigner for animal welfare, Maria Dickin was determined to raise the status of animals in society and improve their care. The Medal was instituted to recognise outstanding acts of gallantry and devotion to duty displayed by animals serving with the Armed Forces or Civil Defence units in any theatre of war, throughout the world. Regarded worldwide as the animals’ Victoria Cross, the PDSA Dickin Medal is as inspirational and relevant today as it was 75 years ago. It is a fitting tribute to the gallant animals ‘who also served’ and whose remarkable contributions helped save countless lives. The highest honour any animal can receive, the Medal stands as testament to the Diligent, Resolute, Fearless, and Relentless qualities shown by animals in action. PADDY - DM 7 THORN - DM 12 NPS.43.9451 MAP serving with Civil Defence Date of award: 1 September 1944 Date of award: 2 March 1945 “For the best recorded time with “For locating air-raid casualties PDSA a message from the Normandy in spite of thick smoke in a Operations, while serving with burning building.” the RAF in June 1944.” KENLEY LASS - DM 13 DICKIN BEAUTY - DM 8 NURP.36.JH.190 PDSA Animal Rescue Squad Date of award: March 1945 serving with Civil Defence “For being the first pigeon to Date of award: 12 January 1945 be used with success for secret “For being the pioneer dog in locating communications from an agent in MEDAL buried air-raid victims while serving enemy-occupied France while serving with a PDSA Animal Rescue Squad.” with the NPS in October 1940.” ROLL OF JET - DM 9 COMMANDO - DM 14 MAP serving with Civil Defence NURP.38.EGU.242 Date of award: 12 January 1945 Date of award: March 1945 “For being responsible for the rescue “For successfully delivering messages of persons trapped under blitzed from agents in occupied France HONOUR buildings while serving with the on three occasions: twice under London Civil Defence Services.” exceptionally adverse conditions, while WINKIE - DM 1 BEACH COMBER - DM 4 serving with the NPS in 1942.” NEHU.40.NS.1 NPS.41.NS.4230 IRMA - DM 10 Date of award: 2 December 1943 Date of award: 6 March 1944 MAP serving with Civil Defence FLYING DUTCHMAN - DM 15 “For delivering a message under “For bringing the first news to this Date of award: 12 January 1945 NPS.42.NS.44802 exceptionally difficult conditions country of the landing at Dieppe, “For being responsible for the rescue Date of award: March 1945 and so contributing to the rescue under hazardous conditions in of persons trapped under blitzed “For successfully delivering messages of an aircrew while serving with September 1942, while serving buildings while serving with from agents in Holland on three the RAF in February 1942.” with the Canadian Army.” the London Civil Defences.” occasions. Missing on fourth mission, while serving with the RAF in 1944.” TYKE - DM 2 BOB - DM 5 ROB - DM 11 (also known as George) 6th Royal West Kent Regiment War Dog no. 471/322 ROYAL BLUE - DM 16 No.1263 MEPS 43 Date of award: 24 March 1944 Special Air Service NURP.40.GVIS.453 Date of award: 2 December 1943 “For constant devotion to duty Date of award: 22 January 1945 Date of award: March 1945 “For delivering a message under with special mention of patrol work “Took part in landings during the “For being the first pigeon in this exceptionally difficult conditions and at Green Hill, North Africa, while North African Campaign with an war to deliver a message from so contributing to the rescue of an serving with the 6th Battalion Queen’s infantry unit and later served with a forced-landed aircraft on the aircrew, while serving with the RAF Own Royal West Kent Regiment.” a Special Air Unit in Italy as patrol Continent while serving with in the Mediterranean in June 1943.” and guard on small detachments the RAF in October 1940.” GUSTAV - DM 6 lying-up in enemy territory. His WHITE VISION - DM 3 NPS.42.31066 presence with these parties saved DUTCH COAST - DM 17 SURP.41.L.30.89 Date of award: 1 September 1944 many of them from discovery and NURP.41.A.2164 Date of award: 2 December 1943 “For delivering the first message subsequent capture or destruction. Rob Date of award: March 1945 “For delivering a message under from the Normandy beaches from a made over 20 parachute descents.” “For delivering an SOS from a ditched exceptionally difficult conditions ship off the beachhead while serving aircrew close to the enemy coast 288 and so contributing to the rescue with the RAF on 6 June 1944.” miles distance in 7½ hours, under of an air crew while serving with unfavourable conditions, while serving the RAF in October 1943.” with the RAF in April 1942.” NAVY BLUE - DM 18 SCOTCH LASS - DM 23 NPS.42.NS.2780 - DM 29 ALL ALONE - DM 35 NPS.41.NS.2862 NPS.42.21610 Date of award: October 1945 NURP.39.SDS.39 Date of award: March 1945 Date of award: June 1945 “For bringing important messages Date of award: February 1946 “For delivering an important “For bringing 38 microphotographs three times from enemy-occupied “For delivering an important message from a Raiding Party across the North Sea in good time country viz: July 1942, August message in one day over a distance on the West Coast of France, although injured, while serving 1942 and April 1943, while of 400 miles, while serving with although injured, while serving with the RAF in Holland serving with the Special Service the NPS in August 1943.” with the RAF in June 1944.” in September 1944.” from the Continent.” PRINCESS - DM 36 RIFLEMAN KHAN - DM 19 SHEILA - DM 24 NPS.42.NS.7524 - DM 30 42.W.D.593 War Dog no. 147. 6th Battalion Date of award: 2 July 1945 Date of award: October 1945 Date of award: May 1946 Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) “For assisting in the rescue of “For bringing important messages “Sent on special mission to Crete, Date of award: 27 March 1945 four American airmen lost on the three times from enemy-occupied this pigeon returned to her loft (RAF “For rescuing L/Cpl. Muldoon Cheviots in a blizzard after an country, viz: July 1942, May 1943 Alexandria) having travelled about from drowning under heavy aircrash in December 1944.” and July 1943, while serving with the 500 miles mostly over sea, with shellfire at the assault of Walcheren, Special Service