Rin Tin Tin: Beyond 'Rank' in the WWI War Dog’s Story

In the TV show of the same name, what was Rin Tin Tin's rank? It turns out that the question of Rin Tin Tin's rank is a misdirection in a story that is far more fascinating than the traditional aspects of military service.

Rin Tin Tin's origins are rooted in a chapter of World War I involving Corporal Lee Duncan, an aerial gunner of the U.S. Army Air Service. Duncan, during his service, was dispatched to a small French village called Flirey. The village, while devastated, still had a function: it was a designated flying field for the 135th Aero Squadron. At the time, the area was bombarded, and Duncan stumbled upon a bombed kennel that once supplied the Imperial German Army with German Shepherd dogs.

Upon investigation, Duncan discovered a tragic scene. The kennel was home to a mother German Shepherd with a litter of five puppies, all of whom were barely a week old and still nursing. Despite the dire situation, Duncan made the compassionate decision to rescue the entire litter. This included the mother, who was barely able to survive on her own.

Rescuing the Pack

When the puppies were weaned, Duncan distributed the mother and puppies to his fellow soldiers and officers. He felt it was important to preserve these dogs not just for their survival, but as symbols of his good luck. He named the male and female puppies Rin Tin Tin and Nanette, after a pair of good luck charms given to American soldiers by French children.

Duncan called the male puppy 'Rinty,' a common affectionate name for males in German-speaking countries. The name stuck, and Rinty would go on to become the foundation of a legendary canine movie star. These events, while not directly tracing Rin Tin Tin's rank, are the foundation upon which the boyhood legend and Hollywood success story was built.

End of the War and Aftermath

At the conclusion of the war in 1918, Corporal Duncan managed to smuggle Rin Tin Tin and Nanette, along with other rescued dogs, aboard a ship that would take him back to the United States. The journey of Rin Tin Tin from a war dog to a Hollywood star was just beginning.

Upon arrival in the United States, Duncan and Rin Tin Tin faced a new chapter. The first place Rin Tin Tin appeared in public was at the Hollywood Dog Shows in California, a natural progression given his German Shepherd heritage. After an unspectacular start in dog agility competitions, it was a fortunate encounter with Milton Davis, a filmmaker, that would set the stage for Rin Tin Tin's transition from a war hero to a film sensation.

Davis saw potential in Rin Tin Tin, and together they began a series of hastily filmed short films. Over time, these short films evolved into feature-length movies, and Rin Tin Tin became the face of the Soviet Studio during the late 1920s and 1930s. His popularity soared, and he starred in numerous films, ultimately cementing his place in American popular culture.

Legacy and Impact

The story of Rin Tin Tin is not just about his rank but about the remarkable survival and transformation of a dog who witnessed the horrors of war. It is a tale of redemption and resilience that has captured the imagination of generations. Rin Tin Tin’s journey from a war field to a Hollywood icon is a narrative that continues to inspire and fascinate fans around the world.

Images: Wikipedia, Google

Rin Tin Tin - Wikipedia