Memorials M-Q

MWD NNick J290

NNick J290 wasn’t just a dog; he was a highly skilled Marine who dedicated his life to the safety of his handlers and his country.

The Meaning Behind the Name

You might notice the unique spelling of his name. In the world of Military Working Dogs (MWDs), those two capital N’s are a badge of distinction. The double-letter prefix signifies that NNick was bred specifically by the Department of Defense’s Military Working Dog Breeding Program at Lackland Air Force Base.

As an EDD (Explosive Detection Dog), NNick was a specialist. While some dogs are trained for patrol or apprehension, NNick’s primary mission was using his elite nose to find hidden dangers before they could cause harm.

A Master of His Craft

Whelped in May 2004, NNick was a high-drive warrior who lived for the "hunt"—and his reward of choice? A simple Kong toy.

NNick was known for his incredible independence and technical precision. Unlike many dogs that look to their handlers for cues, NNick was an "independent contractor."

The Search: He mastered 360-degree patterns, meticulously sniffing every seam of luggage, lockers, and furniture.

The Signal: He provided a distinct "change of behavior" when he caught a scent, working toward the source with intensity.

The Final Response: When he found his target, he faced the odor source directly, ignoring his handler's position to ensure total accuracy.

The Style: He worked best on a loose leash, navigating barracks, bathrooms, and vehicles at a medium-to-fast pace with minimal guidance.

A Well-Earned Rest

After years of rigorous service, the physical toll of the job began to show. By August 2011, NNick began struggling with chronic rear limb lameness due to degenerative joint changes. Despite being managed with medication and supplements, he was officially retired from patrol standards on March 21, 2012, at seven years old.

On August 27, 2013, NNick traded his harness for a couch when he was officially adopted into a loving home. He enjoyed nearly six years of well-deserved retirement before passing away on July 5, 2019.

Final Honors

NNick was interred here at the Michigan War Dog Memorial on June 6, 2020. He stands as a reminder of the bravery, intelligence, and unwavering loyalty of our four-legged veterans.

Rest easy, NNick. We have the watch from here.

K9 Quinn

K-9 Quinn

Fowlerville Police Department

K9 QUINN

Therapy Dog

02/14/10 - 01/22/19

MWD Pito

MWD Pito (L-590)

Born in June 2006, MWD Pito (L-590) entered training at Lackland AFB in early 2008. His trainers saw it immediately—his independent spirit and ideal behaviors marked him for greatness. By May 2008, he had graduated from detection school, ready to serve.

Pito’s career was nothing short of legendary. Arriving at McGuire AFB in August 2008, he quickly field-certified as a Patrol Dog at Andrews AFB. His mission was massive: providing safety for over 44,000 personnel and safeguarding $8.1 billion in resources. His skills eventually took him to the highest levels of security, traveling the country with the U.S. Secret Service to protect the President and Vice-President.

Pito’s bravery knew no borders. He deployed to Iraq in 2009 (OIR) and Afghanistan in 2011 (OEF), serving on the front lines before returning home to his base.

On May 7, 2012, while doing the work he loved during a daily training exercise, Pito suffered a fatal heart attack. It was later discovered he had a congenital heart defect—one that experts said should have prevented him from surviving past puppyhood. But Pito was a fighter. He defied medical odds to live up to his name, which means “lucky, happy, and successful.”

He served with excellence until his very last breath. Rest well, good friend, until we see you again. Thank you for your service!

MWD Pito (L-590) was born in June 2006 and entered military training at Lackland AFB in January 2008. His trainer described him as independent, and exhibited ideal behaviors to become an excellent MWD. In May 2008, Pito graduated from detection school.

In August 2008, Pito arrived at his first duty station, known at that time as McGuire AFB in Wrightstown, NJ, as an Explosive Detection Dog. He entered into patrol training in Dec 2008 then on to temporary duty at Andrews AFB, MD to field-certify as a Patrol Dog. His job was to provide safety and security for more than $8.1 billion in resources and protection for more than 44 thousand personnel.

MWD Pito’s next assignment was with the USSS (United States Secret Service) and he traveled across the country providing secure travel accommodations for the President and Vice-President of the United States.

In 2009, Pito was deployed to Iraq in support of OIR (Operation Iraqi Freedom). In 2011, he was deployed to Afghanistan in support of OEF (Operation Enduring Freedom) and Pito returned to his home base later that year.

On May 7, 2012, while on a regular daily training exercise, Pito suffered a massive, fatal heart attack. His post-mortem indicated he had a congenital heart defect that had gone undetected during all of his previous exams. The Veterinary Corps determined Pito should not have survived past puppyhood, but he courageously defied the odds and lived up to the traits of his name- which means “lucky, happy, and successful.”

It is comforting to know he was doing the job he loved, and did so well, until his last breath. Rest well, good friend, until we see you again. Thank you for your service!

SSgt McKenna Price

United States Air Force

K9 PARKER

Therapy Dog

06/27/06 - 01/14/19

MWD Pal R21

From Family Pet to Front-Line Soldier

Pal’s story began with a patriotic sacrifice by the Kirn family, who lent their loyal German Shepherd to the U.S. Army K9 Corps during the height of World War II. Pal was deployed to the Pacific, where he served in active combat throughout the grueling Ryukyus campaign.

It was there that he met his handler, Marshall Thomas. Their bond was so profound that when the war ended, the Kirn family made a selfless request: they asked the Army to release Pal to Marshall so the two brothers-in-arms would never have to be parted.

"A More Willing Soldier Never Was"

In 1946, Pal and Marshall were officially honorably discharged and settled together in Seattle. Reflecting on their service, Marshall later wrote:

"Pal was just a dog in the K9 Corps, but a more willing soldier. I know this because I handled him through the Ryukyus campaign, and a better buddy there never was."

A Tragic Turn of Fate

In 1947, Marshall needed to move to California to secure dog-friendly housing. While he searched, he left Pal in the temporary care of a friend’s mother in Seattle.

One morning, after his customary 6:00 AM bathroom break, Pal returned home severely ill. A veterinarian determined he had been poisoned, likely by rat bait. Tragically, Pal did not survive. The woman broke the news to Marshall in a letter and placed Pal’s remains in a small urn, tucked away in a closet to await Marshall’s return.

But Marshall never came back. The urn remained in the quiet darkness of that closet, forgotten by time, for three-quarters of a century.

The Rediscovery (Early 2022)

The silence was finally broken in early 2022. While clearing out their mother's Seattle home after her passing, a family discovered the urn alongside Pal's official U.S. Army discharge papers. Realizing they had found a forgotten hero, they reached out to the Michigan War Dog Memorial.

Finally Home: June 18, 2022

On June 18, 2022, the Michigan War Dog Memorial gave Pal the homecoming he had earned 75 years prior. He was laid to rest with full military honors, finally reuniting with his fellow K9s under the open sky.

K9 OLA

Therapy Dog

03/22/2008 - 03/25/2019