Kaiser se hizo famoso en la historia como el primer perro de guerra muerto en acción durante Vietnam mientras lideraba a sus hombres en una misión de búsqueda y destrucción.
En diciembre de 1965, el cabo de la marina de guerra Alfredo Salazar se emparejó con un pastor alemán llamado Kaiser y los dos rápidamente formaron un estrecho vínculo. Según Salazar, "vino a mí y me lamió la mano. Desde entonces, éramos un equipo". Se entrenaron en Fort Benning, Georgia, con la 26ª Sección de perros exploradores del ejército, y después de una temporada en Camp Pendleton en California, la pareja fue enviada a la República de Vietnam.
En julio de 1966, Salazar y Kaiser conducían una patrulla a través de espesa vegetación hacia una pequeña aldea. Después de atravesar la maleza, fueron emboscados por el Viet Cong y Kaiser fue alcanzado en el tiroteo inicial. Cuando la patrulla se movió para atacar al enemigo, Salazar se arrodilló junto a su perro. Kaiser trató de lamer la mano de su guía una última vez justo antes de morir.Kaiser fue llevado de vuelta al campamento y enterrado junto a un árbol cerca de las tiendas.
Como tributo a su camarada caído, los hombres nombraron su campamento Camp Kaiser. En el sitio se colocó un letrero que decía "Este campamento lleva el
nombre en honor a Kaiser, un perro explorador que dio su vida por su
país el 6 de julio de 1966 mientras dirigía una patrulla de combate
nocturna en Vietnam".En
el poco tiempo que Salazar y Kaiser se conocieron, los dos participaron
en una docena de operaciones importantes y realizaron más de 30
patrullas de combate. Después de la muerte de Kaiser, Salazar sintió que perdió a "uno de los amigos más cercanos que haya tenido".
Kaiser became famous in history as the
first war dog killed in action during Vietnam while leading his men in a
search and destroy mission.
In December 1965, Marine Lance Corporal
Alfredo Salazar was paired up with a German shepherd named Kaiser and
the two quickly formed a close bond. According to Salazar, "He came to
me and licked my hand. From then on we were a team." They trained at
Fort Benning, Georgia with the Army's 26th Scout Dog Platoon, and after a
stint at Camp Pendleton in California the duo was sent to the Republic
of Vietnam.
In July 1966, Salazar and Kaiser were leading a patrol through heavy brush toward a small village. After breaking through the undergrowth they were ambushed by the Viet Cong and Kaiser was hit in the initial barrage. As the patrol moved in to attack the enemy, Salazar knelt next to his dog. Kaiser tried to lick his handler's hand one last time right before he died.
Kaiser was carried back to the camp and buried next to a tree near the tents. As a tribute to their fallen comrade, the men named their camp Camp Kaiser. A sign was posted on the site which read "This camp is named in honor of Kaiser a scout dog who gave his life for his country on 6 July 1966 while leading a night combat patrol in Vietnam."
In the short time Salazar and Kaiser knew each other, the two participated in a dozen major operations and made more than 30 combat patrols. After Kaiser's death, Salazar felt he lost "one of the closest friends he ever had."
In July 1966, Salazar and Kaiser were leading a patrol through heavy brush toward a small village. After breaking through the undergrowth they were ambushed by the Viet Cong and Kaiser was hit in the initial barrage. As the patrol moved in to attack the enemy, Salazar knelt next to his dog. Kaiser tried to lick his handler's hand one last time right before he died.
Kaiser was carried back to the camp and buried next to a tree near the tents. As a tribute to their fallen comrade, the men named their camp Camp Kaiser. A sign was posted on the site which read "This camp is named in honor of Kaiser a scout dog who gave his life for his country on 6 July 1966 while leading a night combat patrol in Vietnam."
In the short time Salazar and Kaiser knew each other, the two participated in a dozen major operations and made more than 30 combat patrols. After Kaiser's death, Salazar felt he lost "one of the closest friends he ever had."
Publicado en WWII Gravestone