Rags (c. 1916 – March 6, 1936)[1] was a mixed breed terrier who became the U.S. 1st Infantry Division's dog-mascot in World War I.

[2] He learned to run messages between the rear headquarters and the front lines, and provided early warning of incoming shells.

Rags achieved great notoriety and celebrity war dog fame when he saved many lives in the Meuse-Argonne Campaign by delivering a vital message despite being bombed, gassed, and partially blinded.

[3] His adopted owner and handler, Private James Donovan, was seriously wounded and gassed, dying after returning to a military hospital at Fort Sheridan in Chicago.

Rags was adopted by the family of Major Raymond W. Hardenbergh there in 1920, moving with them through several transfers until in Fort Hamilton, New York, he was reunited with members of the 18th Infantry Regiment who had known him in France.

To avoid being Absent Without Leave, Donovan told Military Police that Rags was the missing mascot of the 1st Infantry Division and that he was part of a search party.

[5] Donovan's job in the front lines was to string communications wire between advancing infantry and supporting field artillery.

[8] Members of the 1st Division smuggled Rags by train and ship from Brest in France to Fort Sheridan in Chicago.

In early 1919, Donovan died and Rags became the post dog, living in the firehouse and eating at various mess halls that he carefully selected.

The 16th Infantry Regiment of the 1st Division was stationed there and a number had served in World War I and were familiar with Rags and his exploits.

Rags was buried with military honors, and a monument was erected at the Aspin Hill Memorial Park in Silver Spring, Maryland near the Hardenbergh home.

[1][11] In addition to his message-carrying skills in France during World War I, Rags had a number of other unique behaviors.

When Rags was first in the front lines and came under shellfire, he simply imitated the men around him who would drop to the ground and hug it tightly.

Before long, the soldiers observed Rags hugging the ground with his paws spread out before anyone heard the sound of an incoming round.