During a recent ceremony on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., military dogs Cairo and Hurricane, along with their handlers, were honored for their bravery. Among those recognized was Will Chesney, Cairo’s handler.

Chesney, who grew up in the small town of Lumberton, Texas, had always dreamed of becoming a Navy SEAL. To achieve this, he underwent the rigorous BUD/S training program, a critical step in becoming a SEAL.

Chesney met Cairo at the Dam Neck training center in Virginia Beach, VA. The Belgian Malinois made a memorable impression with his calm demeanor and work ethic.

Chesney formed a close bond with Cairo, likening their relationship to that of a parent and child. Cairo’s valor was evident when he took two bullets during a crucial SEAL Team 6 mission, likely saving lives in the process.

Chesney and Cairo went on to participate in some of the most significant missions in military history, highlighting the invaluable role dogs play in saving human lives.

Another distinguished military dog, Hurricane, was also recognized. Handler Marshall Mirarchi had no prior experience with dogs before the Hurricane. However, he instantly knew Hurricane was the right choice.

The Belgian Malinois showed his bravery during an incident at the White House, where he was injured while trying to thwart an intruder attempting to reach the president’s quarters. Hurricane was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for his exceptional service.

While large breeds like German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois are often associated with service dogs, the story of Smoky, a four-pound Yorkshire Terrier, demonstrates that courage comes in all sizes.

Discovered in 1944 in a New Guinea jungle by Bill Wynne’s friend, Smoky quickly became a beloved member of the 5th Air Force.

She participated in 12 combat missions, survived over 150 bombing raids, and even weathered a typhoon.

Smoky’s most notable achievement was running a telegraph wire through a 70-foot pipe under heavy bombardment during the 1944 Luzon campaign in the Philippines, which saved numerous lives and kept vital planes operational.

For her bravery, Smoky was posthumously awarded the Animals in War and Peace Distinguished Service Medal, a testament to the extraordinary contributions of military dogs.

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