By 1942, the American public was eager to join the war effort by any means, including donating their own dogs to the military.
Chips, a German shepherd-collie-husky mix, was one of them who would end up serving 3.5 years on the front lines in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, France and the rest of Europe.
On June 10, 1943, an Italian machine-gun crew had U.S. forces pinned down on a beach in Sicily.
Chips broke from his handler and charged the enemy's position. Once on top of the enemy, he was shot at point blank range, with the bullet grazing his head. Regardless, Chips went for the throat and subdued the enemy soldier while 3 more simply surrendered at the ferocity of his attack.
Later that day his keen sense of smell detected 10 enemy soldiers, who also were captured.
Chips became the only dog to receive the Silver Star, Purple Heart reccomended for the DSC.
When Eisenhower tried to pet Chips, the dog nipped him, having been trained to respond only to his handler.
Unfortunately, his awards were taken away because many felt that animals shouldn't receive the same medals as humans.
Chips died a year later, but was subsequently awarded the Dickin Medal 75 years later, the highest award for war time bravery by an animal.
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