History books leave out the best parts—like the fact that some military ranks were earned by fur, feathers, and pure weirdness.

In 1944, a U.S. Navy crew member rescued a kitten named George who was in danger of drowning.

After being saved, George became a sort of mascot for the crew and was even photographed and officially given a liberty card along with a detailed health record, just like a sailor.

There is actually quite a staggering amount of cases where in the US military (and in others) that animals were “enlisted” during various wars. And not just in the way of, them needing a horse to help carry shells for field guns, but they were in all sense brought into the military as though they had actually enlisted, and plenty were given paperwork and ranks.

A short list that I could think of from prior knowledge includes:

Staff Sergeant Reckless, a horse that served with the US marines during the Korean War by doing basically the exact example I gave above.

Sergeant Siwash, a duck who served with the US marines during WW2 in the pacific theatre, and fought an enemy rooster during a beach landing.

Cher Ami, a carrier pigeon who served with the US Army signal corps during WW1, and delivered a message despite being wounded, aiding in saving the lives of the 200 soldiers of the “Lost Battalion”

CPL Wojtek, a bear that served with the Polish army during WW2, carrying artillery shells, drinking beer, and all in all being just one of the boys.

There are many more, but animals have always been part of the military, and many are accidental in how they become part of it, such as Wojtek and Reckless, but nevertheless they are just as much part of the units that adopted them as any of the brave soldiers who gave them a loving family to be part of.

🎁 Curiosity Fuel: Strange Picks of the Day

• 🐴 Staff Sergeant Reckless – Korean War horse who carried ammo like a champ… and occasionally ate the unit’s breakfast…

• 🐻 Corporal Wojtek – Polish army bear who lugged artillery shells, drank beer, and fit right in with the guys…

• 🦆 Sergeant Siwash – US Marine duck who fought an enemy rooster mid-beach landing. Yes, that’s an actual war story…

• 🕊 Cher Ami – Carrier pigeon who saved 200 soldiers after flying with a wounded chest and one leg dangling. Hardcore…

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