Here is how the well mannered -- and well dressed mascot poses for a picture with one of his favorite pilots. The canine, replete with wings on his shoulders, is the mascot of a U.S. Navy air squadron, now in training at a Florida base. Photograph taken on 18 January 1943.

(U.S. Naval Institute Photo Archive)

Sea Dogs

A collection of sea going dogs photographs.

By Scot Christenson

December 2021

Naval History Magazine

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Dogs have long been popular mascots in the U.S. sea services for their seemingly innate ability to build morale. In the early days, dogs often served a more practical function by leading patrols onto foreign shores to search for food and to warn of danger lurking out of eyesight. But mostly, dogs provided welcome relief from the monotony of being at sea for months on end.