Sergeant Stubby was the most decorated war dog of World War I and the only dog to be promoted to sergeant. Smuggled aboard the USS Minnesota, he served with the 102nd Infantry, 26th (Yankee) Division in the trenches in France for 18 months, participated in 4 offensives, and 17 battles. Stubby learned to warn his unit of gas attacks, located wounded soldiers, and could hear incoming artillery shells long before the rest of the unit. He even caught a German soldier by grabbing him by the seat of his pants and holding him there until American soldiers found him.

His actions were well-documented.

Stubby has been called the most decorated war dog of WWI and the only dog to be nominated for rank and then promoted to sergeant through combat.

Stubby was described in news stories as a Boston Terrier or "American bull terrier," a mutt, and a dog of "uncertain breed."

The brindle-patterned pup probably owed at least some of his parentage to the evolving family of Boston Terriers, a breed so...