Dogs, a cat, horse and pigeon proudly lined up in front of military top brass in Britain to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the highest honor, the Dickin Medal, given to animals for acts of bravery.
The medal equates to the Victoria Cross, the prestigious and highest honor any human member of the armed services in Britain can receive.
Among them gathered at the Imperial War Museum in London on Thursday was Mali, the only living holder of the medal. It was presented a year ago to the German Shepherd dog for extraordinary service in Afghanistan. He proudly wore his bronze medal, inscribed with the words "For Gallantry" and "We Also Serve" all within a laurel wreath.
The event was held to honor all animals "who also serve" in the armed forces of Britain.
The award was created by Maria Dickin, founder of the animal charity PDSA to officially recognize animals whose actions have saved lives despite being faced by extraordinary danger. Since then it has been awarded to 72 animals.
File photo shows a medal awarding "Commando," a red chequer cock pigeon, for its gallantry with the resistance in France during 1942. /VCG Photo
File photo shows a medal awarding "Commando," a red chequer cock pigeon, for its gallantry with the resistance in France during 1942. /VCG Photo
PDSA Director General Jan McLoughlin said: "We honor the animals who also serve, those noble creatures whose skill and courage have saved countless military and civilian lives. The face of armed conflict has changed beyond recognition over the last 75 years, yet we rely on these gallant animals as much as ever."
Recipients of the prestigious medal hail from history's deadliest warzones.
So far 34 dogs, 32 pigeons, four horses and one cat have received the medal.
An Honorary Dickin Medal was also bestowed in 2014 to "the real war horse," Warrior, on behalf of all 16 million animals that served in World War I.
A special exhibition created to tell the stories animal bravery is currently on display in the Imperial War Museum, with plans for it to tour the country.
(Top image: Royal Army Veterinary Corps Lance Corporal Karen Yardley at the Imperial War Museum in London with search dog Sadie, who was awarded the Dickin Medal for wartime heroism in 2007. /VCG Photo)
Source(s): Xinhua News Agency