photograph

Photo G0851: Left to right: SP/4 James R. Harding & K9 Rex and SP/4 David L. Richards & K9 Duke, both members of the 212th MP Company (Sentry Dog) Scout Dog Unit, 720th MP Battalion, 89th MP Group, 18th MP Brigade during a day recon mission in the battalion Tactical Area Of Responsibility in Bien Hoa Province, III Corps Tactical Zone, Vietnam in early 1968. Besides carrying the standard basic load for themselves the handlers also carried extra equipment, water and rations for their K9's. Duke was a former Infantry K9 before being trained with the 212th Scout Dog Unit and had a reputation for being high spirited and aggressive. Unfortunately Rex died from illness sometime after this photograph was taken but lived up to his reputation by getting in one last bite of a vet tech before he died. Courtesy of SGT James Harding, 212th MP Company (Sentry Dog) Scout Dog Unit, 720th MP Battalion, February 1968 to July 1969.