"One handler recognized Caesar as 'the smartest dog I ever knew, and the smartest in the platoon.'" - War Animals: The Unsung Heroes of World War II by Robin Hutton, 2018
Devil Dog Canines:
The Line of Communication in WW2
Caesar
Caesar, a German Shepherd, was the most well-known messenger dog from World War II.
Caesar and John Kleeman, 1943,
National Archives
One of Caesar’s important deliveries was in the Bougainville Campaign, one of the battles in the South Pacific between the Allied forces and Japan during World War II.
Caesar was the only communication line between the “M” company and the Battalion Command Post. By day 3 of the battle, he already made nine official deliveries and captured multiple Japanese papers. However, he was shot by the Japanese intruders.
Wounded Caesar being X-rayed, photo 1, 1943, National Archives
"Mayo was frantic," Henderson remembered. "He was half shouting and half crying..." - War Animals: The Unsung Heroes of World War II, 2018
Wounded Caesar being X-rayed, photo 2, 1943, National Archives
Three weeks after, despite of his injuries, he was able to serve again and delivered several crucial messages that saved the lives of many Marines. His service continued in Saipan and Okinawa.
On April 17, 1945, Caesar was killed in action in Okinawa. He will always be honored as the United States’ first messenger dog in combat.
"I would not give up Caesar for a
general's commision." - Pfc. Rufus Mayo, Caesar's handler, N.D.