DUCHESS was a member of the 39th Infantry Scout Dog Platoon. On 30 April 1945, handled by Sgt. Knight, on patrol with the 3rd Battalion, 123rd Infantry, was used in the inspection of enemy cave installations on Luzon in the Philippines. On approaching a large one, the K-9 was permitted to go to the entrance. At this point "DUCHESS" gave a strong alert. Grenades were thrown into the cave, after which the patrol moved on. Investigation the following day revealed 33 Japanese dead in the cave.
On another occasion, "DUCHESS" and Sgt. Knight were on patrol with the same unit. "DUCHESS" alerted on some Filipino huts, 800yds away. Investigation disclosed the presence of enemy. Mortar and machine-gun fire were used to kill 9 Japanese
On 5 December 1966, "NEMO" and his handler, A1C Robert A. Thorneburg were on routine patrol at Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Republic of Vietnam. The base had been hit the previous day by a Viet Cong mortar attack. The main enemy force had been turned back but four infiltrators eluded detection by earlier search parties and hid inside the base's perimeter. Airman Thorneburg and "NEMO" were assigned to search for the intruders. "NEMO" detected the hidden Viet Cong and Thorneburg commanded him to attack. The Dog Team quikly killed two of the enemy, but before help could arrive both were wounded, leaving "NEMO" blind in one eye. "NEMO" was credited with saving the life of his handler and preventing further destruction of life and property at Tan Son Nhut.
