Reposted from @historyofthemarines - PFC Rolo was a Doberman and the first Marine War Dog to be killed in battle. ⠀ ⠀ He was born on December 7, 1941 - which was a fitting birthday due to his service - and attended the Dog Detachment Training Center at Camp Lejeune. In the “Notes on Training” section of his record book, a notation stated, "Rolo (#16) is a high spirited dog of medium size, requiring a firm hand in handling." On December 24, 1943, Rolo was killed in action by Japanese machine gun fire during the Bougainville Campaign. During this campaign, one of Rolo's trainers, Pfc. Friedrich, was declared "missing in action," and his other trainer, Pfc. White, was "wounded but not serious."⠀ ⠀ Most dogs received an honorable discharge after service, but Rolo would join a small number and achieve the highest rating of outstanding. Appropriately, Rolo's discharge certificate was signed on December 24, 1943, by Lt. Col. Alan Shapley who was on the USS Arizona in Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, and one of the few Marines who survived the attack that sank the ship. ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ #usmc #SemperFi #marinehistory #doberman #wardog #devildog #wwii #pearlharbor #echo_sierra_actual https://www.instagram.com/p/BynS0S2Hibb/?igshid=w7v0fmprfljs