Fur Valor: Medal of Bravery Spotlights the Stories of Three Incredible K-9s
Here at US War Dogs, we love nothing more than to share the stories of some of the men, women and dogs who give their all, in service to their country, with dedication, laser-focussed skill and awe-inspiring bravery.
The three MWDs who received this year’s Animals in War and Peace Medal of Bravery are no exception and as their efforts and actions were formally recognized at a ceremony in Washington D.C, we take a look at the stories that saw these three incredible dogs receive the decoration they deserve.
Animals in War and Peace
Instituted in 2019, this awards program is designed to celebrate and recognize animals that have gone above and beyond the call of duty in securing peace, freedom and harmony in the United States – from the military, law enforcement and service dog communities.
This year’s military recipients included US Marine Corps Special Operations Command (MARSOC) multi purpose canine (MPC) Shimanski, US Army Ranger multi purpose military working dog, Kay – who was awarded posthumously – and US Army dual-purpose detection dog, Paco.
The Animals in War and Peace Medal of Bravery
Kay
Kay’s career as a multi purpose MWD spanned from 2007-2011 – some of the most frenetic and dangerous years for American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Kay and his handler, Travis Harrison, completed over 200 Special Operations nighttime raids and over 75 daytime operations.
Kay and his handler, US Army Ranger Travis Harrison on deployment
Kay was trained in apprehension, tracking, explosive detection, article detection, area searches and hunting down enemy insurgents fleeing from targets (commonly referred to as ‘squirter control’). Kay’s favorite, though, was apprehending the enemy that posed a threat to his fellow rangers. Kay took down several high-profile Al Qeada and Taliban leaders during his four deployments. Kay’s prowess with catching and detaining the enemy prevented an ambush in a thick palm grove in Iraq in 2009; engaging an enemy fighter hidden in an elevated rock formation in 2010 and alerting his handler to the presence of enemy about to stage an attack from behind the walls of a compound.
Kay’s dual purpose abilities undoubtedly saved lives too. Although biting was Kay’s thing, his keenly trained nose alerted Travis to the presence of several IEDs as the threat continued to rise. He also found a fingernail-sized sim card that was discarded by the enemy during a raid, which contained critical intelligence that helped to locate dozens of high-value targets.
After their 2011 deployment, Kay retired to live out his days with Travis and his family, where he became a rock, constant presence and Travis’ informal service dog. The two had served through some of the harshest and most dangerous times together and in the quiet moments of retirement, Travis knew that Kay understood what he was going through.
In 2020, Kay was diagnosed with cancer and – through US War Dogs’ Specialized Care Program – received extensive treatment at Red Bank Veterinary Hospital in New Jersey (you can read more about Kay’s experiences with US War Dogs and Red Bank
here). After fighting valiantly through his treatment, Kay died on 15 September 2021. His legacy he leaves will live on and with his Medal of Bravery, his actions and service will go down in the history books.
Kay enjoyed man years in retirement with Travis and his family
Kay’s handler, Travis, said: “Kay being awarded the Medal of Bravery means that his story will be told. We always did our jobs as quietly and as professionally as we possibly could; and Kay did it better than any dog I have ever seen. I never liked to talk much about what we did, or how great he was. I kept most of that to myself. But him being awarded the Medal of Bravery was as opportunity for his story to be told and a chance for others to hear how hard he worked and how much he loved protecting us.
“We went through so much together, and he went through so much as a working dog and as a pet – this award gave me the chance to step back and look at what an amazing creature he was. He protected me, he protected Rangers, he protected my family and he did it while showing us an amount of unconditional love that cannot be explained.
“He was a good pup, and I am so glad he received the award.”
Shimanski
MARSOC MPC Shimanski was procured by the Marine Corps from the Netherlands in February 2013 aged two years old and was immediately paired with SSgt Brandon Marquez when the dog team began training and preparing for their first of four combat deployments. In October of that year, Shimanski and Marquez embarked on a seven-month deployment to Helmand Province, Afghanistan, where Shimanski’s extensive training in explosive detection, team protection through controlled aggression and tracking capabilities, would be put to full use.
The dog team was paired with a Marine Special Operations Team (MSOT) where they conducted routine operations to provide stability to the local people. Shimanski conducted numerous explosive detection searches to establish safe routes – both for the team to travel along (on foot and in vehicles) and in areas around where the team’s helicopter needed to make hasty landings.
Shimankski was trained to provide vital force protection
On February 13, 2014, the team was conducting a large clearing operation in Sangin, Afghanistan, when a member of the MSOT was fatally wounded. When the radio transmission came through, SSgt Marquez and Shimanski, along with two other members of the MSOT, rushed to the incident. While they were tending to their fallen comrade, the MSOT began taking heavy enemy fire – in which time – the dog team cleared two hasty helicopter landing zones used to evacuate their team member. MPC Shimanski did his job impeccably and without hesitation, in gravely dangerous conditions, proving his strength of character and solidifying him as a vital part of the team.
Shimanski’s second deployment with Marquez began in July 2015, where the team was sent to support an MSOT in Jordan. and during his time there, really set the standard for the Jordanian counterparts he worked alongside.
Shimanski’s skills set the standard
Following a six-tour to Jordan, where Shimanski was the only US canine in-country, Shimanski and Marquez deployed to Iraq, in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. The MSOT was required to conduct operations to hold the Kurdish Defensive Line from being infiltrated by ISIS. Shimanski’s detection skills helped the MSOT to establish safe routes, recover critical operational equipment and establish a safe perimeter around recently detonated explosive devices.
On May 6, 2017, the MSOT came under attack when their forward operating base (FOB) was targeted by suicide bombers. During this complex attack, MPC Shimanski and SSgt Marquez moved through the FOB to provide direct force protection and security measures. Once the MSOT successfully defended the attack and eliminated the threat, Shimanski conducted a post-blast assessment and searched the surrounding area for any additional enemy combatants. As part of this deployment, Shimanski also supported the Combined Joint Task Force Inherent Resolve in the battle for Mosul, to liberate the city from ISIS control.
Following Shimanski’s final deployment to Somalia in 2018, he retired to sunny Florida to live with Brandon and his family.
Brandon and Shimanski on deployment in Somalia
Speaking about Shimanski’s honor, Brandon said: “It was incredibly special to see him recognized in this way and it was a privilege to be by his side throughout the process. He served with such dedication on four tough deployments – he deserved all the attention that came with this medal. We even had the chance to tour the Pentagon and meet the commandant of the Marine Corps while we were in D.C. It was a trip that none of us will forget.”
After the ceremony, Shimanski and his family had a very special tour of the Pentagon
Shimanski has been living in luxury since his retirement five years ago. “It is such a blessing to wake up and see him every day – he is almost 13 now and I never would have thought I would get this time with him and my family, so we keep him spoilt.
“Early on, just after he came home with me, he found the laundry basket, which had a pillow in it. He adopted it as his bed. We didn’t argue!”
Brandon’s wife Kerry and two daughters, Layla (10) and Eva (6) are also completely in love with Shimanski. “He is a big softie with them and what I really loved for the girls was that they got to see their dog receive the Medal of Bravery – he isn’t just my dog any longer – he has such strong relationships with everyone in our home.”
Shimanski is an integral part of the Marquez family
Paco
US Army dual purpose detection dog, Paco, was first introduced to his handler, SSgt Brad Mrsny, at Fort Hood, TX, in November 2011 with an ominous warning. “He had not wanted to work for any other handler that had been assigned to him yet”, explains SSgt Mrsny. “I asked if I could have a shot and that is where our story begins.”
Paco in action
As the dog team acclimated during their 30-day training cycle, they went through every training lane available: obedience, gunfire training, explosive detection and aggression training. Once they certified, the team left for Afghanistan for a year-long deployment, where they reported to Special Operations Task Force and assigned to Operation Detachment Alpha team.
Based out of Chak Valley, Wardak Province – an extremely hostile territory – the unit came under constant enemy fire from rocket propelled grenades and dishka gunfire. Their mission was to suppress terrorist threats in the valley and keep it from flowing to the main supply route around Afghanistan.
Each morning would start with an exchange of gunfire, with the camp coming under attack from mortar rounds and often after the team had spent the night on raids of nearby villages – destroying weapons storage units, IEDs and bomb-making equipment.
Mrsny and Paco walked point in missions to ensure there were no hidden threats and during his 12-month tour, Paco positively identified 33 IEDs, providing monumental force protection and undoubtedly saving lives.
Paco was trained to provide vital force protection
During one nighttime raid, SSgt Mrsny and Paco were injured when a mortar landed right next to them. “We were both littered with shrapnel and had to be medevac’d”, explains Brad. For his injuries, Paco was awarded a Purple Heart, but the dog team returned to combat once they have recovered from their injuries.
The unit’s base was notoriously dangerous and towards the end of Brad and Paco’s tour, the Army decided to shut it down for being too precarious a place for the unit. The exfil of the camp was a painstaking one, as there was only one road in and one road out. A fact that the enemy knew only too well.
Paco and SSgt Mrsny led a 30-strong truck convoy along the 20-mile route – all while taking small arms fire and attacks from RPGs. During the exfil, Paco positively identified 19 IEDs, which, along with a small fire team attached to the unit, enabled the successful conclusion of the mission with no casualties sustained.
Paco’s actions on the deadly exfil mission undoubtedly saved lives
At the end of their tour, Paco and SSgt Mrsny returned to Fort Hood and a year following, Brad left the Army for Nebraska, where he joined the National Guard, while Paco continued to serve at as a force protection dog. Paco sustained two torn ACLs while jumping for a bite on a training exercise and after extensive surgery and rehab, was retired on medical grounds.
The kennel master at Fort Hood contacted Brad about Paco retiring and Brad jumped at the chance to take him. With the help of non-profit, Gizmo’s Gift, Paco was transported to Nebraska to start his life in retirement. Brad said: “From the moment he got to our house, he became not just a war hero, but a family member of this household. We how have two daughters under the age of six and to say that MWD Paco is their best friend, is an understatement.
“I am so proud of this animal, to be able to be a family dog with everything that we have been through. I would not be here to raise and father the most amazing and beautiful daughters without this dog by my side on the battlefield.
“I truly don’t think I would have made it home without him and to be able to honor him with this award for saving my life and countless soldiers that trusted us enough to follow behind us in the heat of battle, should prove that he deserves it.”
