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| Theo y Tasker |
Foto: Esta es una foto sin fecha del Ministerio de Defensa de un folleto disponible el jueves 25 de octubre 2012 de Lance Corporal Liam Tasker y su Springer Spaniel, Theo. Theo el perro detector de bombas del ejército que murió en Afganistán el día que se mató a su manejadora ha sido galardonado con el más alto premio de Gran Bretaña por su valentía animal. El Springer Spaniel, Theo, fue galardonado a título póstumo con la Medalla Dickin el jueves en una ceremonia en Londres.
Los soldados británicos y los perros militares se reunieron en un cuartel del ejército de Londres este jueves para honrar a un héroe caído con valentía desinteresada, nervios de acero y cuatro patas.
Theo, un perro Springer Spaniel detector de bombas que murió en Afganistán el día que se mató a su compañera soldado, fue honrado póstumamente con la Medalla Dickin, el más alto galardón de la Gran Bretaña a los animales por su valentía.
Theo trabajó junto a Lance Cpl. Liam Tasker, en la búsqueda de bombas en las carreteras en la provincia de Helmand, un bastión Talibán.
Tasker, de 26 años, murió en un tiroteo con insurgentes en marzo del 2011, y Theo sufrió unas convulsiones fatales horas más tarde. La Madre de Tasker, Jane Duffy, dice que la pareja eran inseparables. Está convencida de Theo murió por rompérsele el corazón.
"Va a estar observándonos, y va a estar muy orgullosa", dijo. "Sólo desearía que estuvieran aquí para que lo obtuvieran ellos mismos".
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| Theo y Tasker |
La pareja, que se decía que habían sido inseparables, y que detectaron un registro de 14 bombas talibanes en carretera y escondites de armas en cinco meses, y se cree que han salvado innumerables vidas.
Su función era proporcionar asistencia a la eliminación y búsqueda, en el descubrimiento de armas ocultas, artefactos explosivos improvisados y material para fabricar bombas.
El Springer Spaniel, Theo, fue galardonado con la Medalla Dickin PDSA, conocida como de los animales Victoria Cross, en el cuartel de Wellington, de Londres.
El premio se dice que es el mayor elogio que puede recibir cualquier animal en reconocimiento a la dedicación al deber de salvar vidas humanas, mientras servía en un conflicto militar. Fue creada por la fundadora de la organización benéfica veterinaria, María Dickin, en 1943.
El premio fue recibido por el sargento Matthew Jones - quien sirvió junto a L / Cpl Tasker y su perro de búsqueda Grace.
L / Cpl Tasker, de Tayport en Fife, fue honrada póstumamente con un MBE en septiembre del año pasado. Sirvió en la Royal Army Veterinary Corps, 1 º Regimiento Militar de Perros de trabajo.
Su madre, Jane Duffy, describe a Theo como "el mejor amigo" de su hija y le dijo que estaban juntos "24/7" en Afganistán.
Theo hizo los hallazgos más confirmados en una operación por cualquier tipo de armas y explosivos, de los perros de búsqueda en Afganistán hasta la fecha.
En una ocasión, se dice que han descubierto un túnel subterráneo que conduce a una sala en la que los insurgentes eran sospechosos de fabricar bombas y esconderse de las fuerzas de la coalición.
COMMANDOS CANINOS
Theo es el perro número 28 en recibir la medalla, concedida por la caridad de los animales PDSA y el nombre de su fundadora, María Dickin.
Uno de los primeros ganadores fue Rip, un perro mestizo encontrado abandonado en un refugio antiaéreo y adoptado por un Guardián de incursión aérea de Londres. Él es considerado el descubridor de más de 100 personas atrapadas entre los escombros por los bombardeos alemanes durante los bombardeos de 1940.
Otro héroe de la Segunda Guerra Mundial era Rob, un collie que se unió a los comandos británicos en más de 20 operaciones en paracaídas detrás de las líneas enemigas en el norte de África e Italia. Su citación en la medalla, decía que "su presencia con estas partes ha salvado a muchos de ellos desde el descubrimiento y posterior captura o destrucción."
Los perros también han sido galardonados por el servicio en Bosnia, Irak, Afganistán y durante los ataques terroristas.
Después de los ataques del 11, Apollo, un Pastor Alemán del Departamento de Policía de Nueva York, recibió la medalla en nombre de todos los perros de búsqueda y rescate en los sitios en Nueva York y Washington, "por el coraje incansable al servicio de la humanidad"
La Medalla Dickin PDSA
Instituida en 1943 por su fundadora de la PDSA, María Dickin, reconoce
los actos destacados de valentía mostrados por los animales que prestan
servicios en las Fuerzas Armadas o de las unidades de defensa civil en
cualquier conflicto de guerra en todo el mundo.
¿Cuál es la Medalla Dickin
PDSA?
La
Medalla Dickin es un gran medallón de bronce con la
inscripción "por su valentía" y "Nosotros también servimos"
todo dentro de una corona de laurel. La cinta es de color a rayas, verde,
marrón oscuro y azul claro que representa el agua, la tierra y el aire para
simbolizar las fuerzas terrestres navales y aéreas.
Durante la
Segunda Guerra Mundial (1939-45), la fundadora de la PDSA, María Dickin CBE era
consciente de la increíble valentía mostrada por los animales en servicio
activo y el frente interno. Inspirada por la devoción de los animales al hombre
y el deber, presentó una medalla especial específicamente para los animales en
la guerra.
¿Para qué es
concedida?
La
Medalla Dickin PDSA, reconocida como la de los animales
Victoria Cross, se otorga a los animales que presenten una valentía visible o
devoción al deber durante su servicio o asociados con cualquier rama de las
Fuerzas Armadas o de las Unidades de Defensa Civil. La Medalla Dickin PDSA
es el máximo galardón para cualquier animal que puede recibir al mismo tiempo
que sirve en un conflicto militar.
Bob - Mongrel
6th Royal West Kent Regt.
Date of Award: 24 March 1944
“For constant devotion to duty with special mention of Patrol work at Green Hill, North Africa, while serving with the 6th Battalion Queens Own Royal West Kent Regt.”
Jet - AlsatianMAP Serving with Civil Defence
Date of Award: 12 January 1945
“For being responsible for the rescue of persons trapped under blitzed buildings while serving with the Civil Defence Services of London.”
Irma -Alsatian
MAP Serving with Civil Defence
Date of Award: 12 January 1945
“For being responsible for the rescue of persons trapped under blitzed buildings while serving with the Civil Defences of London.”
Beauty - Wire-Haired Terrier
PDSA Rescue Squad
Date of Award: 12 January 1945
“For being the pioneer dog in locating buried air-raid victims while serving with a PDSA Rescue Squad.”
6th Royal West Kent Regt.
Date of Award: 24 March 1944
“For constant devotion to duty with special mention of Patrol work at Green Hill, North Africa, while serving with the 6th Battalion Queens Own Royal West Kent Regt.”
Jet - AlsatianMAP Serving with Civil Defence
Date of Award: 12 January 1945
“For being responsible for the rescue of persons trapped under blitzed buildings while serving with the Civil Defence Services of London.”
Irma -Alsatian
MAP Serving with Civil Defence
Date of Award: 12 January 1945
“For being responsible for the rescue of persons trapped under blitzed buildings while serving with the Civil Defences of London.”
Beauty - Wire-Haired Terrier
PDSA Rescue Squad
Date of Award: 12 January 1945
“For being the pioneer dog in locating buried air-raid victims while serving with a PDSA Rescue Squad.”
Rob - CollieWar Dog No. 471/332 Special Air Service
Date of Award: 22 January 1945
“Took part in landings during North African Campaign with an Infantry unit and later served with a Special Air Unit in Italy as patrol and guard on small detachments lying-up in enemy territory. His presence with these parties saved many of them from discovery and subsequent capture or destruction. Rob made over 20 parachute descents.”
Thorn - Alsatian
MAP Serving with Civil Defence
Date of Award: 2 March 1945
“For locating air-raid casualties in spite of thick smoke in a burning building.”
Rifleman Khan - Alsatian
147. 6th Battalion Cameronians (SR)
Date of Award: 27 March 1945
“For rescuing L/Cpl. Muldoon from drowning under heavy shell fire at the assault of Walcheren, November 1944, while serving with the 6th Cameronians (SR).”
Date of Award: 22 January 1945
“Took part in landings during North African Campaign with an Infantry unit and later served with a Special Air Unit in Italy as patrol and guard on small detachments lying-up in enemy territory. His presence with these parties saved many of them from discovery and subsequent capture or destruction. Rob made over 20 parachute descents.”
Thorn - Alsatian
MAP Serving with Civil Defence
Date of Award: 2 March 1945
“For locating air-raid casualties in spite of thick smoke in a burning building.”
Rifleman Khan - Alsatian
147. 6th Battalion Cameronians (SR)
Date of Award: 27 March 1945
“For rescuing L/Cpl. Muldoon from drowning under heavy shell fire at the assault of Walcheren, November 1944, while serving with the 6th Cameronians (SR).”
Rex - Alsatian
MAP Civil Defence Rescue Dog
Date of Award: April 1945
“For outstanding good work in the location of casualties in burning buildings. Undaunted by smouldering debris, thick smoke, intense heat and jets of water from fire hoses, this dog displayed uncanny intelligence and outstanding determination in his efforts to follow up any scent which led him to a trapped casualty.”
Sheila - Collie Date of Award: 2 July 1945
“For assisting in the rescue of four American Airmen lost on the Cheviots in a blizzard after an air crash in December, 1944.”
Rip - Mongrel
Stray picked up by Civil Defence Squad at Poplar, London E14
Date of Award: 1945
“For locating many air-raid victims during the blitz of 1940.”
Peter - Collie
Date of Award: November 1945
“For locating victims trapped under blitzed buildings while serving with the MAP attached to Civil Defence of London.”
MAP Civil Defence Rescue Dog
Date of Award: April 1945
“For outstanding good work in the location of casualties in burning buildings. Undaunted by smouldering debris, thick smoke, intense heat and jets of water from fire hoses, this dog displayed uncanny intelligence and outstanding determination in his efforts to follow up any scent which led him to a trapped casualty.”
Sheila - Collie Date of Award: 2 July 1945
“For assisting in the rescue of four American Airmen lost on the Cheviots in a blizzard after an air crash in December, 1944.”
Rip - Mongrel
Stray picked up by Civil Defence Squad at Poplar, London E14
Date of Award: 1945
“For locating many air-raid victims during the blitz of 1940.”
Peter - Collie
Date of Award: November 1945
“For locating victims trapped under blitzed buildings while serving with the MAP attached to Civil Defence of London.”
Awards made between 1946 – 1949
Judy - Pedigree Pointer
Date of Award: May 1946
“For magnificent courage and endurance in Japanese prison camps, which helped to maintain morale among her fellow prisoners and also for saving many lives through her intelligence and watchfulness.”
Punch and Judy - Boxer dog and bitch
Date of Awards: November 1946
“These dogs saved the lives of two British Officers in Israel by attacking an armed terrorist who was stealing upon them unawares and thus warning them of their danger. Punch sustained 4 bullet wounds and Judy a long graze down her back.”
Date of Award: May 1946
“For magnificent courage and endurance in Japanese prison camps, which helped to maintain morale among her fellow prisoners and also for saving many lives through her intelligence and watchfulness.”
Punch and Judy - Boxer dog and bitch
Date of Awards: November 1946
“These dogs saved the lives of two British Officers in Israel by attacking an armed terrorist who was stealing upon them unawares and thus warning them of their danger. Punch sustained 4 bullet wounds and Judy a long graze down her back.”
Ricky – Welsh Collie
Date of Award: 29 March 1947
“This dog was engaged in cleaning the verges of the canal bank at Nederweent, Holland. He found all the mines but during the operation one of them exploded. Ricky was wounded in the head but remained calm and kept at work. Had he become excited he would have been a danger to the rest of the section working nearby.”
Date of Award: 29 March 1947
“This dog was engaged in cleaning the verges of the canal bank at Nederweent, Holland. He found all the mines but during the operation one of them exploded. Ricky was wounded in the head but remained calm and kept at work. Had he become excited he would have been a danger to the rest of the section working nearby.”
Brian - Alsatian Date of Award: 29 March 1947
“This patrol dog was attached to a Parachute Battalion of the 13th Battalion Airborne Division. He landed in Normandy with them and, having done the requisite number of jumps, became a fully-qualified Paratrooper.”
Antis - Alsatian
Date of Award: 28 January 1949
“Owned by a Czech airman, this dog served with him in the French Air Force and RAF from 1940 to 1945, both in N. Africa and England. Returning to Czechoslovakia after the war, he substantially helped his master’s escape across the frontier when after the death of Jan Masaryk, he had to fly from the Communists.”
Tich - Egyptian Mongrel
1st Battalion King’s Royal Rifle Corps
Date of Award: 1 July 1949
“For loyalty, courage and devotion to duty under hazardous conditions of war 1941 to 1945, while serving with the 1st King's Rifle Corps in North Africa and Italy.”
Awards made between 2000 – 2012
“This patrol dog was attached to a Parachute Battalion of the 13th Battalion Airborne Division. He landed in Normandy with them and, having done the requisite number of jumps, became a fully-qualified Paratrooper.”
Antis - Alsatian
Date of Award: 28 January 1949
“Owned by a Czech airman, this dog served with him in the French Air Force and RAF from 1940 to 1945, both in N. Africa and England. Returning to Czechoslovakia after the war, he substantially helped his master’s escape across the frontier when after the death of Jan Masaryk, he had to fly from the Communists.”
Tich - Egyptian Mongrel
1st Battalion King’s Royal Rifle Corps
Date of Award: 1 July 1949
“For loyalty, courage and devotion to duty under hazardous conditions of war 1941 to 1945, while serving with the 1st King's Rifle Corps in North Africa and Italy.”
Awards made between 2000 – 2012
Gander - Newfoundland
Date of Award: awarded posthumously on 27 October 2000
“For saving the lives of Canadian infantrymen during the Battle of Lye Mun on Hong Kong Island in December 1941. On three documented occasions Gander, the Newfoundland mascot of the Royal Rifles of Canada engaged the enemy as his regiment joined the Winnipeg Grenadiers, members of Battalion Headquarters ‘C’ Force and other Commonwealth troops in their courageous defence of the Island. Twice Gander’s attacks halted the enemy’s advance and protected groups of wounded soldiers. In a final act of bravery the war dog was killed in action gathering a grenade. Without Gander’s intervention many more lives would have been lost in the assault.”
Date of Award: awarded posthumously on 27 October 2000
“For saving the lives of Canadian infantrymen during the Battle of Lye Mun on Hong Kong Island in December 1941. On three documented occasions Gander, the Newfoundland mascot of the Royal Rifles of Canada engaged the enemy as his regiment joined the Winnipeg Grenadiers, members of Battalion Headquarters ‘C’ Force and other Commonwealth troops in their courageous defence of the Island. Twice Gander’s attacks halted the enemy’s advance and protected groups of wounded soldiers. In a final act of bravery the war dog was killed in action gathering a grenade. Without Gander’s intervention many more lives would have been lost in the assault.”
Appollo – German Shepherd
Date of Award: 5 March 2002
NYPD dog Appollo received the PDSA Dickin Medal on behalf of all the Search and Rescue dogs at Ground Zero and the Pentagon following the terrorist attack on 11 September 2001.
Date of Award: 5 March 2002
NYPD dog Appollo received the PDSA Dickin Medal on behalf of all the Search and Rescue dogs at Ground Zero and the Pentagon following the terrorist attack on 11 September 2001.
“For tireless courage in the service of humanity during the search and rescue operations in New York and Washington on and after 11 September 2001." Faithful to words of command and undaunted by the task, the dogs’ work and unstinting devotion to duty stand as a testament to those lost or injured.”
Salty and Roselle – Labrador Guide dogs
Date of Award: 5 March 2002
“For remaining loyally at the side of their blind owners, courageously leading them down more than 70 floors of the World Trade Center and to a place of safety following the terrorist attack on New York on 11 September 2001.”
Sam – German Shepherd
Royal Army Veterinary Corps
Date of Award: 14 January 2003
“For outstanding gallantry in April 1998 while assigned to the Royal Canadian Regiment in Drvar during the conflict in Bosnia-Hertzegovina. On two documented occasions Sam displayed great courage and devotion to duty. On 18 April Sam successfully brought down an armed man threatening the lives of civilians and Service personnel. On 24 April, while guarding a compound harbouring Serbian refugees, Sam’s determined approach held off rioters until reinforcements arrived. This dog’s true valour saved the lives of many servicemen and civilians during this time of human conflict.”
Buster - Springer Spaniel
Royal Army Veterinary Corps
Date of Award: 9 December 2003
“For outstanding gallantry in March 2003 while assigned to the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment in Safwan, Southern Iraq. Arms and explosives search dog Buster located an arsenal of weapons and explosives hidden behind a false wall in a property linked with an extremist group. Buster is considered responsible for saving the lives of service personnel and civilians. Following the find, all attacks ceased and shortly afterwards and troops replaced their steel helmets with berets.”
Royal Army Veterinary Corps
Date of Award: 14 January 2003
“For outstanding gallantry in April 1998 while assigned to the Royal Canadian Regiment in Drvar during the conflict in Bosnia-Hertzegovina. On two documented occasions Sam displayed great courage and devotion to duty. On 18 April Sam successfully brought down an armed man threatening the lives of civilians and Service personnel. On 24 April, while guarding a compound harbouring Serbian refugees, Sam’s determined approach held off rioters until reinforcements arrived. This dog’s true valour saved the lives of many servicemen and civilians during this time of human conflict.”
Buster - Springer Spaniel
Royal Army Veterinary Corps
Date of Award: 9 December 2003
“For outstanding gallantry in March 2003 while assigned to the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment in Safwan, Southern Iraq. Arms and explosives search dog Buster located an arsenal of weapons and explosives hidden behind a false wall in a property linked with an extremist group. Buster is considered responsible for saving the lives of service personnel and civilians. Following the find, all attacks ceased and shortly afterwards and troops replaced their steel helmets with berets.”
Lucky: German Shepherd
RAF number 3610 AD: RAF Police anti-terrorist tracker dog – from 1949 to 1952 during the Malaya Campaign
Date of Award: 6 February 2007
“For the outstanding gallantry and devotion to duty of the RAF Police anti-terrorist tracker dog team, comprising Bobbie, Jasper, Lassie and Lucky, while attached to the Civil Police and several British Army regiments including the Coldstream Guards, 2nd Battalion Royal Scots Guards and the Ghurkhas during the Malaya Campaign.
RAF number 3610 AD: RAF Police anti-terrorist tracker dog – from 1949 to 1952 during the Malaya Campaign
Date of Award: 6 February 2007
“For the outstanding gallantry and devotion to duty of the RAF Police anti-terrorist tracker dog team, comprising Bobbie, Jasper, Lassie and Lucky, while attached to the Civil Police and several British Army regiments including the Coldstream Guards, 2nd Battalion Royal Scots Guards and the Ghurkhas during the Malaya Campaign.
Bobbie, Jasper, Lassie and Lucky displayed exceptional determination and life-saving skills during the Malaya Campaign. The dogs and their handlers were an exceptional team, capable of tracking and locating the enemy by scent despite unrelenting heat and an almost impregnable jungle. Sadly, three of the dogs lost their lives in the line of duty: only Lucky survived to the end of the conflict.”
Sadie: Labrador
RAVC arms and explosive search dog – Kabul, Afghanistan in November 2005
Date of Award: 6 February 2007
“For outstanding gallantry and devotion to duty while assigned to the Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Light Infantry during conflict in Afghanistan in 2005. On 14 November 2005 military personnel serving with NATO’s International Security Assistance Force in Kabul were involved in two separate attacks. Sadie and Lance Corporal Yardley were deployed to search for secondary explosive devices.
RAVC arms and explosive search dog – Kabul, Afghanistan in November 2005
Date of Award: 6 February 2007
“For outstanding gallantry and devotion to duty while assigned to the Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Light Infantry during conflict in Afghanistan in 2005. On 14 November 2005 military personnel serving with NATO’s International Security Assistance Force in Kabul were involved in two separate attacks. Sadie and Lance Corporal Yardley were deployed to search for secondary explosive devices.
Sadie gave a positive indication near a concrete blast wall and multinational personnel were moved to a safe distance. Despite the obvious danger Sadie and Lance Corporal Yardley completed their search. At the site of Sadie’s indication, bomb disposal operators later made safe an explosive device. The bomb was designed to inflict maximum injury. Sadie’s actions undoubtedly saved the lives of many civilians and soldiers.”
Treo - Labrador
Royal Army Veterinary Corps, Arms and Explosives Search dog
Date of Award: 24 February 2010
On 15 August 2008, while acting as forward protection for 8 Platoon, The Royal Irish Regiment, Treo located a ‘daisy chain’ IED – an improvised explosive device designed to trigger a series of bombs – on a roadside where soldiers were about to pass.
Royal Army Veterinary Corps, Arms and Explosives Search dog
Date of Award: 24 February 2010
On 15 August 2008, while acting as forward protection for 8 Platoon, The Royal Irish Regiment, Treo located a ‘daisy chain’ IED – an improvised explosive device designed to trigger a series of bombs – on a roadside where soldiers were about to pass.
It was subsequently confirmed that the device uncovered was new to the area and would have inflicted significant casualties. On 3 and 4 September 2008 Treo’s actions were reported as saving 7 Platoon from guaranteed casualties, again as the result of an IED. Without doubt, Treo’s actions and devotion to his duties, while in the throes of conflict, saved many lives.
Theo – Springer Spaniel
Royal Army Veterinary Corps, Arms and Explosives Search dog
Date of Award: awarded posthumously on 25 October 2012
For outstanding gallantry and devotion to duty while deployed with 104 Military Working Dog (MWD) Squadron during conflict in Afghanistan September 2010 to March 2011.
Royal Army Veterinary Corps, Arms and Explosives Search dog
Date of Award: awarded posthumously on 25 October 2012
For outstanding gallantry and devotion to duty while deployed with 104 Military Working Dog (MWD) Squadron during conflict in Afghanistan September 2010 to March 2011.
Por: Erik Farina, Psicolmascot