US Marine K-9 Lucca Receives Dickin Medal For Heroics

By Tactical-Life

The following is a release from the PDSA:

Lucca, a retired U.S. Marine Corp K-9, has been awarded the PDSA Dickin Medal – the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross.

During her six years of active service, Lucca successfully completed 400 separate missions and her skills as a search and rescue dog protected the lives of thousands of troops. Lucca and her handler were at the front of patrols to ensure the safety of those behind them. Thanks to Lucca’s skills there were no human causalities during any of her patrols.

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On her final patrol on March 23, 2012, an IED detonated underneath Lucca, resulting in the loss of her leg.

“The explosion was huge and I immediately feared the worst for Lucca,” said Cpl. Juan Rodriguez, her handler. “I ran to her and saw her struggling to get up. I picked her up and ran to the shelter of a nearby tree line, applied a tourniquet to her injured leg and called the medics to collect us.

“I stayed with her constantly throughout her operation and her recovery. She had saved my life on so many occasions – I had to …Read the Rest

Source:: Tactical Life