Her owner, Gunnery Sergeant Christopher Willingham, was by her side in London as she received the medal.
A U.S. Marine Corps dog that sniffed out explosives and protected thousands of troops has been honored with a prize for animals serving bravely in military conflict.
Lucca, a 12-year-old German Shepherd, won the Dickin Medal, the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross, a decoration for bravery. She is the first U.S. Marine Corps dog to receive the honor.
Lucca is credited with saving thousands of allied troops and never had a human casualty on one of her patrols. On her final patrol in Afghanistan, she discovered a 30-pound (13.6-kilogram) improvised explosive device and was searching for more when a second device detonated. Lucca lost her left leg, but survived.
Her owner, Gunnery Sergeant Christopher Willingham of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, was by her side Tuesday in London as she received the medal.
Lucca, a 12-year-old German Shepherd, won the Dickin Medal, the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross, a decoration for bravery. She is the first U.S. Marine Corps dog to receive the honor.
Great to see all the love for war hero dog Lucca this morning - here she is with her #PDSADickinMedal. pic.twitter.com/GOso4aE12p
- PDSA (@PDSA_HQ) April 5, 2016
Lucca is credited with saving thousands of allied troops and never had a human casualty on one of her patrols. On her final patrol in Afghanistan, she discovered a 30-pound (13.6-kilogram) improvised explosive device and was searching for more when a second device detonated. Lucca lost her left leg, but survived.
Lucca, we salute you! #PDSADickinMedal for dog who protected troops in Iraq & Afghanistan https://t.co/D6KVOMGhbr pic.twitter.com/yWwlqXVJBs
- PDSA (@PDSA_HQ) April 5, 2016
Her owner, Gunnery Sergeant Christopher Willingham of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, was by her side Tuesday in London as she received the medal.
Hero Dog Lucca's StoryAfter six years of active service with the US Marine Corps, search and rescue dog Lucca now enjoys a well-earned retirement with her handler and his family in California. Today we awarded Lucca the highest animal honour - the PDSA Dickin Medal: http://ow.ly/10iQK2
Posted by PDSA - Help a vet help a pet on Tuesday, 5 April 2016
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