10 Unforgettable Animal Heroes From History

There is no shortage of animal heroes today, from service dogs who provide life-saving assistance to their owners, to courageous animals serving with police, fire departments, and militaries around the world. While these modern heroes often receive deserved attention, many animal heroes of the past were once just as celebrated—sometimes even achieving celebrity status in their own right.

Some rose to fame because of the famous people they accompanied, while others earned glory purely through their own brave deeds. Their stories are testaments to the bond between humans and animals, and to the capacity of animals to display loyalty, courage, and even sacrifice.

Yet, as the old Latin phrase Sic Transit Gloria Mundi reminds us—“Thus passes the glory of the world”—even the most renowned figures can fade from memory. That includes these heroic animals, once honored and widely known, but largely forgotten today.

Here are ten memorable animal heroes from history, and why they deserve to be remembered.

1. Sergeant Stubby – The Canine Soldier of World War I

Sergeant Stubby, a short-tailed Boston Terrier mix, became the most decorated war dog of World War I. He started out as a stray adopted by a group of American soldiers training at Yale University. He was smuggled aboard a troop ship to France, where he served in the trenches for 18 months and participated in 17 battles.

Stubby had an uncanny ability to detect incoming gas attacks, barked to alert soldiers to incoming artillery shells, and even captured a German spy by holding onto his pants until American troops arrived. For his service, Stubby was promoted to the rank of Sergeant—the only dog to ever achieve this rank in the U.S. Army—and became a national celebrity after the war.

2. Cher Ami – The Pigeon Who Saved the Lost Battalion

During World War I, carrier pigeons were vital for battlefield communication. One pigeon, Cher Ami (French for “Dear Friend”), became legendary during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive in 1918.

The “Lost Battalion” of the 77th Infantry Division was trapped behind enemy lines, surrounded by German troops and accidentally being shelled by their own side. Desperate for help, the battalion released Cher Ami with a message tied to her leg. Though she was shot through the chest, blinded in one eye, and lost a leg, she managed to fly 25 miles in 25 minutes to deliver the message. The bombing stopped, and the men were rescued.

Cher Ami was awarded the Croix de Guerre by the French and is enshrined at the Smithsonian Institution.

3. Balto – The Sled Dog Who Delivered Hope

In 1925, a diphtheria outbreak threatened the remote town of Nome, Alaska. Antitoxin serum was urgently needed, but the nearest source was over 600 miles away. With planes grounded due to blizzards, a relay of dog sled teams was organized to carry the serum.

Balto, a Siberian Husky, led the final 55-mile leg of the journey through blinding snow and -40°F temperatures. When the exhausted musher nearly collapsed, Balto took charge and brought the serum safely to Nome, saving thousands of lives. He became a national hero and was honored with a statue in New York’s Central Park, where it still stands today.

4. Wojtek – The Bear Who Joined the Polish Army

Wojtek, a Syrian brown bear, was adopted by Polish soldiers in Iran during World War II. As the soldiers moved with Allied forces through the Middle East and into Italy, Wojtek became more than just a mascot—he was enlisted as a private and given a rank and serial number.

During the Battle of Monte Cassino, Wojtek helped carry heavy crates of ammunition to the front lines, inspiring his comrades and boosting morale. After the war, he was relocated to Scotland with his unit and later lived out his days at the Edinburgh Zoo. His service was commemorated with statues in Poland and the UK.

5. Simon’s Cat – Hero of the Yangtze Incident

Simon, a stray cat aboard the British warship HMS Amethyst, became a symbol of resilience during the Yangtze Incident of 1949. The ship was trapped by Chinese Communist forces on the Yangtze River and suffered heavy casualties.

Despite being wounded by shellfire, Simon continued to control the ship’s rat population, preventing food stores from being contaminated. His presence also boosted crew morale during the 101-day siege. For his bravery and service, Simon was awarded the Dickin Medal, often called the “animal Victoria Cross.”

6. Smoky – The Pocket-Sized War Dog

Smoky, a four-pound Yorkshire Terrier, was found in a foxhole in New Guinea during World War II. Adopted by Corporal William Wynne, she accompanied troops on dozens of missions and survived through air raids and jungle terrain.

Smoky’s most famous feat came when she ran a vital communication cable through a narrow 70-foot pipe under an airstrip—saving engineers days of digging and avoiding the destruction of the airfield. Smoky also entertained troops with tricks, helping to boost morale in hospitals and camps.

7. Comanche – Survivor of the Battle of the Little Bighorn

Comanche was the loyal steed of Captain Myles Keogh of the U.S. 7th Cavalry. In 1876, during the Battle of the Little Bighorn—famously known as “Custer’s Last Stand”—Comanche was the only living thing found on the battlefield from Custer’s immediate command.

Though gravely wounded, Comanche survived and was transported back to Fort Abraham Lincoln, where he lived the rest of his life in honor. He was given a military funeral and his preserved body is still on display at the University of Kansas.

8. Togo – The Unsung Hero of the Serum Run

While Balto became famous, Togo was the real powerhouse behind the 1925 serum run. Led by musher Leonhard Seppala, Togo ran the longest and most treacherous stretch—an astonishing 260 miles through gale-force winds and across breaking sea ice.

Togo’s intelligence, stamina, and loyalty saved countless lives and turned the tide of the epidemic. Though overshadowed at the time, historians and dog sledding experts later recognized him as the true hero of the mission. Today, Togo is celebrated in books, documentaries, and even a Disney film.

9. Hachikō – The Dog Who Waited

Though not a war hero, Hachikō’s story is one of profound loyalty. In 1920s Tokyo, he accompanied his owner, Professor Ueno, to the train station daily. When the professor died unexpectedly at work, Hachikō continued to wait for him at the station every day—for nine years.

His unwavering devotion touched the hearts of many in Japan and around the world. A bronze statue of Hachikō still stands outside Shibuya Station, serving as a beloved symbol of loyalty and remembrance.

10. G.I. Joe – The Pigeon Who Saved a Village

Another feathered hero, G.I. Joe was a messenger pigeon used by the U.S. Army during World War II. In 1943, British forces planned to bomb a village in Italy, unaware that the town had just been recaptured by American troops. Unable to call off the raid by radio, a message was attached to G.I. Joe and he was released.

Flying 20 miles in just 20 minutes, G.I. Joe reached headquarters moments before the bombers took off, preventing a friendly fire catastrophe. For saving over 100 Allied soldiers, he was awarded the Dickin Medal and celebrated as a hero.