Canine war heroes awarded for their service

WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — Members of Congress awarded medals to seven dogs last Wednesday for their courage and bravery while serving the U.S.

The Fourth Annual Animals in War & Peace Medal Ceremony honored dogs who show bravery in times of war and peace.

The 2024 Animals in War & Peace Medal of Bravery recipients include:

• K9 Yoda – U.S. Border Patrol Tactical Unit BORTAC, Detroit Sector (presented by Cong. Jamie Raskin-MD)

• K9 Endo and K9 Ax – Volusia, FL Sheriff’s Office (presented by Cong. Julia Brownley-CA and Cong. Gus Bilirakis-FL)

• K9 Kitt 823K–Braintree, MA Police Department (Posthumously honored and presented by Cong. Jamie Raskin-MD)

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“The prestigious Animals in War & Peace Medal of Bravery award was bestowed upon animals that have served in past conflicts, as well as current working or retired military dogs representing various branches of U.S. military services, service animals, and First Responders,” a press release from the Livingood Group stated.

The 2024 Animals in War & Peace Distinguished Service Medal recipients include:

• K9 Cody – U.S. Embassy in Baghdad / American K9 Interdiction, VA (presented by Cong. Michael Quigley-IL)

• K9 Bane – St. Francis Police Department / FBI Milwaukee SWAT, WI (presented by Cong. Bryan Steil-WI)

• K9 Sonya V558 – U.S. Coast Guard MSST (Seattle)/MSRT-W, San Diego, CA (presented by Cong. Marc Veasey-TX)

The Distinguished Service Medal recognizes animals for their exceptional service in the U.S. in roles of great responsibility.

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Congressman Jamie Raskin (D-MD) awarded Yoda, who worked in Detroit’s Border Patrol Tactical Unit, and posthumously honored Kitt from the Braintree Police Department in Massachusetts.

Raskin also co-sponsored a bill in the House of Representatives that is working to create an annual nomination process for these awards.

The bill, introduced by Representative Julia Brownley (CA) on March 5, states that “animals that serve in war and peace in the United States are currently not recognized for their acts of gallantry and bravery, and do not have an official medal to honor their distinguished service.”

The ceremony, created in 2019, has since celebrated over 20 dogs for their service. The bill hopes to expand the ceremony’s scope in recognizing the contributions that military animals make.

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