05/26/2026
This Memorial Day, we remember Nemo, a military German Shepherd Dog whose loyalty and courage defined a moment of extraordinary sacrifice.
On December 4, 1966, at Tan Son Nhut Air Base in Vietnam, Nemo and his handler, Bob Throneburg, were on patrol when the base came under attack. Nemo alerted first and charged the enemy, taking a bullet through his nose that exited through his eye. Despite the devastating injury, he continued to fight, giving Throneburg time to call for backup.
When his handler was shot and went down, Nemo, bleeding and blinded in one eye, refused to leave his side. He crawled back and positioned himself across Throneburg’s body, protecting him until help arrived.
Today, we honor the loyalty, bravery, and unbreakable bond that military canines share with those beside them. 🐾❤️
Photo credit: US Air Force, US Air Force Museum, The Historical Marker Database