As many of you know I have a fondness for airplanes. I also have a passion for creating YouTube videos. I have, over the years, created nineteen videos specifically about aviation. Also about eighty about other subjects. Recently, I have become more interested in making more documentary videos. In creating these aviation videos, I frequently use archive video footage from the U.S. government sources. I like to research my subject thoroughly. whether through internet, library, or personal interview. In researching my latest project I was reviewing some archival footage from the Cactus Air Force during WWII. The Cactus Air Force was comprised of Navy and Marine Corps Squadrons operating in the South Pacific to route out the Japanese from the South Pacific islands. In the grainy moving images of the vintage film I saw a naval Lieutenant Commander climb aboard a F6F Hellcat fighter plane with a small dog under his arm. That led me to reevaluate the phrase, "man's best friend". Upon further research I found that this was not an usual occurrence Indeed, when Wilbur and Orville Wright made that historic flight at Kill Devil Hill there was a dog in attendance.Throughout the world wars aviation squadrons have had dogs for mascots. During WWI the Americans had a dog named "Spad", the mascot of the 94th Aero Squadron. The Spad received his name from the Spad S.VII airplane they flew. On the other side of the conflict the Red Baron, Manfred von Richthofen had a Danish hound named, Moritz, for a mascot. Throughout the wars fighting men of the air have had their dogs. Sometimes they were simply referred to as hanger dogs. On occasion more than that. The commander of the 614 Squadron RAF Dam Busters used the squadron dog's name for a code to signify completion of a mission. At times the squadron dog would take to the air with their master as with the commander of VF-33 in the South Pacific. These dogs aren't to be confused with modern military dogs which perform sentry duty and bomb, cadaver, and drug detection.
As an afterthought; a personal note. When I served on the U.S.S. Bon Homme Richard, an American aircraft carrier. We had a dog, a beagle. I don't think an onboard dog complied with Navy regulations. His name was "Rumor". I don't know why he had that civilian name rather than the Navy translation to Scuttlebutt. Maybe some sailor's girlfriend named him. Each division took their turn caring for Rumor. His picture was even in the ship's cruise book. He was pictured with the Captain's battle helmet on. When we returned to Long Beach Rumor had a rough time. Like us he had sea legs, except he had twice as many. He was a quick study though and got his land legs back almost as fast as I did. Unfortunately, Rumor went AWOL and them was finally considered a deserter. But we preferred to believe that his enlistment was up. Some said his demise had to do with a female of his species.
Could happen to any sailor.
Click here for more of Lt. Cdr. Hawley Russell and VF-33 and the squadron mascot.
