Here at Lynn Foundation, we love to discover stories of the extraordinary connections between dogs and humans. So when we came across the tale of Chips, a loyal German Shepherd-husky-collie mix from Pleasantville, NY, who fought for the U.S. military in World War II, we were intrigued.

Officially, tens of thousands of dogs have served in the U.S. military during active wartime. But Chips’ remarkable service in General George S. Patton’s 7th Army earned him a distinction that stands to this day: Chips is the most decorated animal in U.S. military history. Not only was Chips awarded a Silver Star, the U.S. military’s third-highest medal for bravery in combat, he was also nominated for a Distinguished Service Cross (the second-highest award) and a Purple Heart.

We invite you to get inspired by reading this article about Chips, published earlier this year by the Washington Post. You can also learn more about Chips and other animals who served in World War II by reading Robin Hutton’s book, “War Animals: The Unsung Heroes of World War II.”