Rags was a mixed-breed terrier found in Paris by James Donovan and later became a U.S. 1st Infantry Division mascot and message dog, remembered for carrying a vital message under fire in 1918.

Paris and Meuse-Argonne, France / United States

Story

Rags was found abandoned in Paris by James Donovan and became the U.S. 1st Infantry Division’s mascot and message dog.

During the Meuse-Argonne campaign, he delivered a vital message despite shelling, gas and injury, while Donovan was also gravely wounded.

Rags is archived because the story records an animal carrying communication and danger through one of the harshest human conflicts.

Sources

• Wikipedia: Rags (dog)
• Wikimedia image record