WAUPACA, Wis.— Veterans Day is a day men and women who fought for our country are recognized for their service to the United States. But animals fought too. The “tale” of one Wisconsin dog who was recruited, fought and returned to the Badger State is soon to be the subject of a new book.
Out of the hundreds of graves at the Central Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery, the gravesite of Brownie sits all by itself. It’s smaller than others but the story behind it is larger than life.
Brownie was laid to rest 72 years ago. His tombstone reads “U.S. Army K-9 Corps. A Veteran’s Best Friend.” That's because Brownie was a war dog who served in World War II.
He was born and raised near King, Wisconsin. His owner was 10-year-old Oren Kendley. Brownie's time with Kendley only lasted about a year and a half before the U.S. Army asked for people to enlist their dogs for the war. Kendley decided to selflessly enlist Brownie.
Kendley’s niece, Joan Yohr still lives in Wisconsin and has kept careful records of Brownie and his service. She was close with Kendley growing up and wants to help keep both of their memories alive.
“He served in the South Pacific and he was wounded by a Japanese bullet and he lost his left eye. They took real good care of him and replaced it with a glass eye,” Yohr said about Brownie.
Yohr still holds all of the collected Brownie stories close to her heart to this day.
”He was a nice dog. I just loved him, but he hated me because I ran over his foot with a walker and he never forgave me for that,” Yohr said as she reflected back on her time with Brownie as a little girl.
Brownie returned to Kendley and his family after the war and spent five more years with them. However, Brownie died after being hit by a car in 1949. He was buried with full military honors and is the only dog buried among other veterans in the cemetery.
“He gave everybody a lot of love... So he deserves to be remembered,” Yohr said.
Yohr teamed up with a local librarian and author from Winneconne to keep the memory of both dog and owner alive.
“Joan kept very careful records which was invaluable to my research,” Kelly Nelson said.
Nelson is an author who is now creating a non-fiction children’s book about Brownie— bringing color and life to the crazy journey this dog went on.
“I think especially having the connection to Joan who knew Brownie and knew Oren and it became a very important story for me to tell," Nelson said. "It’s become one that's been very satisfying and I hope that it is as well-loved and received as I hoped it would be because it means a great deal to me personally."
It’s a dream come true for a family who sacrificed their hero K9, who is seen in their eyes as a war hero and best friend.
The book is expected to be done in 2023. There is also a spot next to Brownie’s grave where plans to add a bench are being made. If you are interested in donating to help fund a bench for Brownie you can call Christopher Foster at 715-256-5056.
