IV 

118TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. RES. 1054 

Recognizing the roles and contributions of military animals and their valiant 

human handlers for bravery in both war and peace, and acknowledging 

the importance of creating a process for honoring their valor and meritorious achievements. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

MARCH 5, 2024 

Ms. BROWNLEY (for herself, Mr. BILIRAKIS, Mr. RASKIN, Mr. CALVERT, Mr. 

BAIRD, Mr. VEASEY, and Mr. FITZPATRICK) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing the roles and contributions of military animals 

and their valiant human handlers for bravery in both 

war and peace, and acknowledging the importance of 

creating a process for honoring their valor and meritorious achievements. 

Whereas the history of our Nation needs to comprise the social, economic, cultural, and medical contributions made 

by military animals and their human handlers, and 

should include stories of their valor, sacrifices, and meritorious achievements made on behalf of our freedom and 

safety; 

Whereas military animals have made significant contributions 

to the peace and protection of our United States and 


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were officially recognized by the Quartermaster Corps on 

March 13, 1942; 

Whereas military animals have served in war throughout history and contributed selfless service and bravery by recognizing their historical contributions, including: 

(1) More than 2,200 years ago, African general 

Hannibal used elephants to carry soldiers and weapons. 

Since that time, while horses, pigeons and dogs have been 

mostly used, a vast array of animals were put into service, including camels, mules, donkeys, and llamas. The 

United States experimented with dolphins and sea lions. 

‘‘Bomber bats’’ were even tested during World War II before the hydrogen bomb was completed. 

(2) During World War I, over 8 million horses and 

mules were killed. 

(3) In 1917, the Army Signal Corps established the 

Signal Pigeon Corps. At its height during World War II, 

the Signal Pigeon Corps consisted of 3,000 enlisted members, 150 officers, and 54,000 pigeons, two-thirds of 

which were deployed overseas, with the other 18,000 held 

in reserves. 

(4) Over 11,500 military working dogs were trained 

for the home front and warfront during World War II. 

(5) Approximately 2,000 military working dogs were 

sent overseas in World War II, an estimated 4,000 military working dogs served in Vietnam and an estimated 

5,700 military working dogs have served in Afghanistan 

and Iraq since 2006; 

Whereas there are currently over 3,000 military working dogs 

in the United States today, and there is an increasing demand for these military working dogs in the United 


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States as a result of the proven worth and success in 

their various service and working capacities; 

Whereas since September 11, 2001, the 341st Training 

Squadron of the Air Force has trained approximately 500 

military working dogs annually, including 274 explosive 

detection dogs for the Transportation Security Administration, and, according to the Secretary of the Air Force, 

there are an estimated 2,000 military working dogs deployed worldwide to support the Global War on Terror, 

helping to safeguard military bases and activities, and to 

detect bombs and explosives before they inflict harm; 

Whereas canines are used today to maintain peace and protection with numerous law enforcement, fire, and search 

and rescue agencies around the country, and are trained 

to patrol, apprehend fleeing criminals, and detect narcotics, explosives, weapons, and accelerants, in cases of 

arson, and used in crime scene evidence detection; 

Whereas, according to the United States Police Canine Association, it is estimated that there are approximately 

15,000 police canines working today, not including military working dogs, on the Federal, State, county, and 

local levels of government, in various service and working 

capacities; 

Whereas, according to Search and Rescue Dogs of the United 

States (hereinafter ‘‘SARDUS’’), there are approximately 

2,000 certified search and rescue teams across the 

United States, most of them volunteers who work on the 

local level for police and sheriff’s departments, and include wilderness area search dogs, trailing dogs, human 

remains detection dogs, water search dogs, and avalanche 

dog teams; 


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Whereas the Federal Emergency Management Agency also 

works with SARDUS and State and local organizations 

as needed, including 28 national urban search and rescue 

teams, 369 urban search and rescue dogs with capabilities in live find and human remains detection in a disaster environment, and 66 nationally certified State disaster K–9 search teams which respond to in-State requests to disasters or imminent threats, including extreme weather and building collapses; 

Whereas the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives manages two separate and distinct canine programs including an Explosive and Accelerant Detection 

Canine Program and a Special Response Team Tactical 

Canine Program; the Explosive and Accelerant Detection 

Canine Program began in 1990 and has trained approximately 1,000 explosive detection canines and 280 

accelerant detection canines who work both to prevent explosive incidents and to gather evidence at scenes of 

arson and explosive-related crimes; the Special Response 

Team Canine Program began in 2000 and has had 35 

different tactical canine teams who participate as part of 

a tactical team and help apprehend violent criminals 

across the country; 

Whereas, according to the United States Marshals Service 

(hereinafter ‘‘USMS’’) Canine Operations Program, there 

are 25 K–9 teams supporting USMS missions nationwide 

today, working as explosive detection canines that provide 

explosives and firearms detection and countermeasure for 

USMS protective and investigative missions and supports 

other Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies, 

and tactical canines that are specifically trained for 


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USMS enforcement missions to search and locate suspects; 

Whereas since 1943, the United Kingdom has been the only 

country in the world to honor animals with its international PDSA Dickin Medal, also known as ‘‘the Victoria Cross for Animals’’; 

Whereas 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; 

Whereas there is increasing support for the process of a 

Medal of Bravery and a Distinguished Service Medal for 

animals and an annual event to recognize such animals 

who have served valiantly and bravely since World War 

I; 

Whereas the Animals in War & Peace Medal of Bravery was 

instituted in 2019, and awarded to the inaugural eight 

recipients on November 14, 2019, at a ceremony attended by dignitaries and Members of Congress, in the 

District of Columbia, and since then has awarded 20 

brave animals with AWP Medals of Bravery and AWP 

Distinguished Service Medals; and 

Whereas a fourth Animals in War & Peace Medal Ceremony 

is planned for March 6th, 2024, that will educate and 

raise public awareness of seven brave animals and their 

handlers who served the United States in times of war 

and peace with three AWP Distinguished Service Medals 

and three AWP Medals of Bravery: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) recognizes and thanks the brave military 

3 animals and their dedicated and selfless handlers 


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1 who serve the United States in both war and peace; 

2 and 

3 (2) supports the creation of an annual process 

4 to nominate animals for the Medal of Bravery and 

5 Distinguished Service Medal. 

Æ 


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