🐾 Heroic Bond: Nemo A534 and Airman Robert Throneburg
During the Vietnam War, U.S. Air Force Airman Robert “Bob” Throneburg served as a sentry dog handler at Tan Son Nhut Air Base near Saigon. He was paired with Nemo A534, a German Shepherd trained to detect intruders.
On December 4, 1966, the base was attacked by Viet Cong forces. While on patrol, Nemo alerted Throneburg to enemy presence. In the ensuing firefight, Throneburg was shot in the shoulder, and Nemo was shot in the face, losing an eye. Despite his injuries, Nemo crawled over Throneburg’s body, guarding him until help arrived. Both survived, and Nemo became one of the first military dogs to be officially retired and honored for his heroism.
Nemo lived out his days at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, where his kennel was preserved as a memorial. He passed away in December 1972, but his story remains a testament to the unbreakable bond between soldiers and their K9 partners.