Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1921-11-11
OTHER UNKNOWN HEROES
By "Thc Drifter."

When the clocks throughout our
land struck the hour Of noon, the
great heart OF the American people
offered up 4 silent tribute to the I'm
known Soldier who made the Supreme
sacrifice on the fields Of France. For
two minutes of this day we offered
our silent prayers for the Unknown
Dead. 1t was the least we might do,
and yet we may pass on to those
who will follow after US this golden
page Of our history, and III so do
ing, consecrate ourselves to the full
fillment Of the cause for which they
died. Buddy, your life was not given
in vain, and those who lived will
keep fresh the Great Right for which
you have given all.
On this day made sacred by the
trust Of our Allied Dead we should
stop moment to pay another tri-
butte to the other Unknown Heroes
our friend who crawled across No
Mans Land and told US Of the ap-
proach Of an enemy. A friend like
Mickey, the little yellow mongrcl who
attached himself for duty with the
lst Division. Mickey devoted him
self to his friends, and when the
test came, Mickey offered his life that
his master might cos back. Sergeant
10th Infantry brought back the
information Of the German position,
because Mickey with low growl
told Of the approach of an enemy.
Sgt was suddenly attacked by
two Germans Of patrol party, and
then Mickey proved that his Dough-
boy training had not been in vain.
Sgt grappled with one Of the
Germans, and Mickey took one quick
look 1t that hated grey-green uni
form and lcaped--a short struggle
and Mickey passed on in the Last Re-
view. Meanwhile his master had been
able to use a pistol butt to good adj
vantage on the head of his antagou-
iSt, and while the other was recover
ing from the surprise of Mickey's at
tack, made his escape in safety to the
American lines. Mickey will not fill
page in the written history Of our
country, but his loyalty will live in
the memory Of those who knew him
and appreciated his steadfast devo-
tion to duty.
Then there was CASTOR, police
dog on duty with the famous Blue
Devils of France. Castor won his de-
coration by crossing open space sui
lect to heavy enemy fire and locat-
ing the wounded. On one Of his trips
he was severely wounded after find
Ind wounded officer, but he was not
to be deferred from duty. Back to
the trenches he crawled and turning
back in the direction from whence he
came, he whined and started back
Two stretcher bearers from an Anne
rican Ambulance Unit followed. Time
after time the dog would struggle to
his feet and try to go faster, but his
wound had caused a loss of blood that
was fast telling on his wonderful
strength. With a last effort he rose to
his feet and took score of steps to-
ward little clump of bushes and
fell, soldier to the end. in the clump
OF bushes they found the officer. BY
Gaston's sacrifice his life was saved.
Not much, you may say. but it was
the best dog could do.
Let us not forget that when Arm
lstlce Day is here, then shall we re-
member that even a dog can do his
duty under fire. Let US pay tribute
to those dogs who were our Buddies
on the fields of France. The place You
have won in the hearts of soldiers
who knew you will live when the
Years bring silver threads upon the
brow, and then on beyond to the gen.
erations to come after US. No blare
OF bueles or beat Of drums sound for
you, Little Four-Footed Pal O. Mine
but in the memory of men you are not
forgotten. You have earned your
keep.
To Mickey, BY his Buddy.