Animals with Military Ranks Who Served with Bravery and Distinction

The bear named Wojtek who received a military rank
A World War II veteran
Animals that have received military ranks

There are countless cases where animals were deployed in warfare. Examples include dogs that charged under tanks with bombs strapped to them, dolphins equipped with radar to detect enemy submarines, and the horses and military dogs ridden by cavalry.

However, beyond being used as weapons, some animals have received actual military ranks. A notable example is Private Wojtek, a supply bear who served in the Free Polish Army and fought against the Nazis during World War II.

A bear raised by soldiers
Served in the Free Polish Army

Initially born in Persia, Wojtek was donated to the Polish army as a cub. The soldiers reportedly fed him condensed milk from vodka bottles to feed him. Living with the soldiers, Wojtek developed a fondness for cigarettes and beer and was actually deployed on the battlefield with them.

He served as an ammunition carrier, transporting shells on the battlefield, and it is said that Wojtek never made a mistake in the field. When riding in military vehicles, he always sat in the passenger seat. At one point, Wojtek even caught a German spy who had infiltrated the Polish camp, as the only soldier surprised by the sight of Wojtek was unlikely to be a member of the Polish army.

Deployed in various battlefields
But a sad ending

Afterward, Wojtek was deployed to various battlefields with the Free Polish Army in Syria, Palestine, and Egypt. When the British army stated that animals could not be brought into the base, the Polish army formally enlisted Wojtek and gave him a military rank. After the war, Wojtek lived in the UK with the Free Polish Army.

However, Wojtek, who had been a soldier, was reportedly placed in the Edinburgh Zoo. As Wojtek considered himself a human, he did not get along with other bears, and when his comrades visited, he would smoke cigarettes and drink beer with them. His situation was similar to that of the Free Polish Army, who could not return to their homeland due to its communist state. Wojtek passed away naturally in 1963 at the age of 22.

Animals who served in the Korean War
Some animals even received knighthoods

In World War II and the painful history of the Korean War, some animals received military ranks. One such example is the racehorse Reckless from Seoul Racecourse. Reckless participated in battles alongside U.S. Marines, carrying M20 recoilless rifles and ammunition. In this process, she received two Purple Hearts and was the first horse to be appointed Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Although it may seem more like an event, we can’t forget about Lieutenant Nils Olav, a penguin who served in the Norwegian Army. Born in the same Edinburgh Zoo where Wojtek lived, Lieutenant Olav became the mascot of the Royal Guard on the recommendation of the King of Norway and an officer of the Royal Guard. He has since been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. Although this is more of an event, it shows that even non-human beings can be granted military ranks.