Captain Corky and Sergeant Stubby
Edward ‘Fast Eddie’ Dalton was born outside Topeka, Kansas on July 4, 1897. He was the second oldest of eleven children and only had an eighth-grade education because he had to drop out of school to help his struggling family. Eddie hunted, fished, and hired himself out as a laborer. His family was so poor that they could not afford ammunition for a rifle so Eddie hunted with a knife and a bow and arrow. He got his nickname ‘Fast Eddie’ because he used to chase rabbits, wild turkeys and deer on foot and sometimes he would catch one!
Eddie’s father, Benjamin was a strong man until he was infected with the serious autoimmune disease, Myasthenia Gravis: this condition causes severe muscle weakness because the immune system blocks the signals from the nerves to the muscles. Simple tasks like chewing, smiling, lifting objects or even breathing can become exhausting. It was not long before Benjamin Dalton was spending most of his time in bed or sitting in his rocking chair. Becoming frustrated with his deteriorating medical condition, Benjamin took a serious risk and went horseback riding and broke his neck when he passed out, fell off his mount and landed on his head.
Things worsened for Eddie’s family and he had to find additional ways to make money so he began working for the railroad with some very rough and mean-spirited men. Fast Eddie found two ways to supplement his income, competing in foot races and bare-knuckle fistfights. His natural speed and lightning quick reflexes served him well and he never lost in either competition. He would also bet heavily on himself and used his winnings to help support his mother and younger siblings.
Eddie received his draft notice on June 8th , 1917 and was given 30 days to report to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas for training. He owned two dogs at the time; Corky, a German shepherd that was 18 months old and Stubby, a terrier mix who had just turned one. Eddie had both animals since they were puppies. On June 9th, Eddie took his dogs for a long exhausting run chasing rabbits and wildlife through the dense woods and open fields. When every bit of energy had been expelled from his body, Eddie sat down on a log to catch his breath as tears and perspiration rolled down his face. It was a bittersweet time for the young man, who never felt freer and happier than at this particular moment, but also realized that a dangerous future awaited him. Corky and Stubby sensed their master’s emotional turmoil and nuzzled up against him.
Over the next three weeks, Eddie fought in his three fights at the stockyards and won them all. He gave his winnings of $1,500 to his mother with these words, “I don’t want to go, but I have to do my patriotic duty, but as soon as this war is over, I’m coming right back, I promise.”
Ma Dalton gently held Eddie’s hand, “You are a good son and a good man. Do what you need to do and come back to us, we’ll be fine.”
The next morning at the break of dawn, Eddie said an emotional farewell to his brothers and sisters then put Corky and Stubby in a fenced area next to the barn and petted both dogs, He walked over to the mule drawn wagon and and one of his brothers took him to town.
The two dogs refused to be confined and once Eddie was out of sight, they began trying to escape. Corky charged at the gate and hit it with his paws, but that didn’t work, so he stood next to the fence and Stubby went to the other end of the compound and sprinted forward and jumped on Corky’s back and propelled himself over the fence to the other side.
Stubby ran into the barn, found a long rope and carried it back to the gate and relayed it to Corky who pulled it through the fence with his teeth and looped it over the latch. Stubby took the other end to the barn, ran up the ladder to the hay loft and looped the rope around a bucket of nuts and bolts. He pushed the bucket out with his nose and the force of it falling ripped the latch off the gate and both dogs ran off.
By the time Corky and Stubby ran the 7 miles to Topeka, Eddie had already boarded the bus. The two dogs watched for a few seconds as the vehicle slowly pulled away. Corky barked and ran up the wooden stairs with Stubby right behind him. They jumped to the General Store’s roof and ran parallel to the bus. Both dogs leaped simultaneously to the top of the bus and landed inside the luggage rack. Corky almost went over the other side, but Stubby grabbed him with his teeth and pulled him back on top. The two dogs found a place to lie down among the suitcases and travel bags.
It was a 65-mile trip from Topeka to Fort Leavenworth and when the bus entered the front gate of the Army base, the two dogs looked around from their perch. They saw Eddie with the other recruits and jumped down from the luggage rack to the hood of the bus then to the ground.
“How did you two get loose?” Sergeant Tobias grumbled, “Come with me.”
Corky looked at Stubby and they decided not to run away. They followed the Army Sergeant to a fenced compound where there were a dozen kennels and an obstacle course for the service dogs.
Sergeant Tobias opened the gate and let the two dogs in, “Find a place to sleep, we start training tomorrow.”
Corky and Stubby found an empty kennel and laid down next to each other. At another area of the base, Eddie was lying on his cot in the barracks as other recruits socialized. He pulled out two photos from his pocket, one was of his family, and the other was of his dogs. As he stared longingly at them, another recruit walked by and commented, “Family?”
“Yup,” Eddie replied.
“Looks like you got a big one,” The recruit said.
“Ten brothers and sisters,” Eddie answered.
“Same with me,” The recruit smiled, “My name is Alvin, Alvin York.”
“I’m Eddie Dalton, glad to meet you, Alvin.”
The two young men began talking and were surprised how much they had in common.
“In the beginning I felt I shouldn’t even be in the Army cause’ I don’t want to hurt anybody. I requested conscientious objector status when I was at Camp Gordon, Georgia and talked to Major Buxton, my battalion commander about it. He told me to finish my training before making a final decision. I would be in France by now if I hadn’t hurt my leg and was put back in training. That is why they transferred me to Leavenworth,” Alvin explained.
“Made a decision yet?” Eddie asked.
“They gave me ten days leave to go home and think about it. When I got back to Tennessee, I talked to Pastor Rosier Pile and he said; God would let me know when the time was right.” Alvin said.
“Did he?” Eddie asked
“I had a dream and God told me, Alvin boy, go serve your country, your fellow soldiers need you.”.”
“I wish God would tell me what to do,” Eddie answered, “I’m kind of winging it on my own.”
“He probably already has, you just weren’t listening close enough,” Alvin picked up the photo of Eddie’s two dogs, “Nice looking animals.”
Corky and Stubby began training with the other sentry dogs and quickly impressed the other dog trainers with their ability to follow orders, “Those two dogs are bonded, let’s make sure that we don’t separate them,” Sergeant Tobias ordered.
“Yes Sergeant,” Corporal Miles replied.
Eddie Dalton and Alvin York soon became close friends and were walking back from the messhall after evening chow when Eddie heard dogs barking in the distance, “What’s that?”
“The sentry dogs, they’re probably doing late training,” Alvin responded.
“I’m going take a look,” Eddie said, “Want to come?”
“I need to shine my boots, you go ahead. I’ll see you back at the barracks.”
Eddie began walking toward the sound of the dogs and when he got closer, two particular barks sounded eerily familiar. He couldn’t believe it as he walked around the corner of the building and saw Corky and Stubby running the obstacle course. Eddie ran over to the fence and whistled, and both dogs left the assigned duty and raced to greet their owner. When Sergeant Tobias saw what was happening, he walked over, “You’re pretty good with these dogs, soldier.”
Eddie almost told him that they were his dogs, “They’re my…
Corky and Stubby barked at the same time and Eddie quickly changed his mind, “I’ve always been pretty good with animals, Sergeant.”
“Come in and let’s see what you can do with them.”
Eddie entered through the gate and nodded to his dogs. He gave them a series of hand signals that he used when he was back at home and Corky and Stubby obeyed without hesitation.
“You’re a natural,” Sergeant Tobias marveled, “How would you like to transfer to my unit?”
“If I can work with these dogs then I will,” Eddie said without hesitation.
“That can be arranged, Private.”
“Then you got yourself a new dog handler,” Eddie smiled and embraced his dogs.
Eddie told Alvin about his decision to leave his current platoon, but he would still remain in the 328th Infantry Regiment. He put a cot in the kennel and for the next six weeks he slept with his dogs until he completed his training. Before deploying to France, Eddie found some discarded uniforms at Supply Battalion and had a seamstress that worked at the Fort, make vests for Corky and Stubby. She left the rank insignias on the material,
” Looking good, Captain Corky and Sergeant Stubby. You both outrank me now, but don’t let it go to your heads,” Eddie smiled.
When his unit was deployed to France, Eddie found himself in the same location during the Meuse-Argonne offensive as his friend, Alvin York. Eddie came running up with his dogs beside him, all three moving too fast for the German machine gunners to get a good shot at them. When they jumped into the trench, Alvin drawled, “Hey Eddie.”
“Hi Alvin, looks like the Germans got you pinned down,” Eddie surmised.
Corporal York peered over the edge of the trench and saw his fellow American soldiers being cut down by machine guns mounted on the hills that surrounded their position.
Sergeant Bernard Early called out, “Get your dogs ready to go, Dalton!”
“Yes Sergeant,” Eddie responded.
“Corporal York, we need to get behind those machine guns,” Sergeant Early yelled.
Eddie looked at Alvin as bullets whizzed over their heads, “I’ll distract them,” then turned to Corky and Stubby, “Let’s go boys!” and they were out of the trench in a flash and running up the hill, bullet only inches away from ripping them to pieces.
Eddie had a Colt semi-automatic pistol in each hand when he leaped over the first machine gun emplacement and shot two Germans. Corky and Stubby attacked two enemy soldiers and while they were fighting against the dogs, Eddie shot both of them and took control of the machine gun and began firing at the other German positions to give cover fire for Sergeant Early, Alvin and 13 soldiers who were moving up the right flank of the hill.
Early and York overran the headquarters of a German unit and captured a large group of enemy soldiers but made the serious mistake of thinking that the other Germans would not fire on their own men, but this was not the case. A German machine gun located a hundred meters away peppered the area, hitting most of the prisoners and killing six Americans and wounding four.
Eddie saw what was happening and grabbed the German machine gun and ran toward the enemy’s location, just as Sergeant Early and his men found themselves under fire from another group of German soldiers. Alvin used his sharpshooting skills and a turkey call to get the Germans to pop their heads up and ended up killing 20 of them before the rest surrendered.
Four Germans with fixed bayonets charged at Eddie, who dodged a blade by inches then punched the enemy soldier in the face and broke his jaw. Stubby also evaded a bayonet thrust as Corky bit the man in the throat. Eddie slapped another German across the face with his pistol, then reloaded and killed the last three enemy soldiers.
In the distance German reinforcements were advancing quickly, so Eddie took off at a full sprint while firing in their direction, forcing the large force to take cover. With Corky and Stubby to warn him whenever the Germans tried to outflank him, Eddie kept the enemy pinned down just long enough for Alvin and his seven remaining men time to escape the area with their 132 German prisoners.
When he started running low on ammunition, Eddie turned to his dogs, “Time to go,” The trio crawled out of their fighting hole and were off in an instant and out of sight before the Germans even knew they were gone.
Eddie and his dogs arrived back at the rear area just as Alvin was turning his prisoners over to Battalion headquarters. While everyone was telling Alvin what an amazing thing he did, he walked over to Eddie, “I should tell them what you and your dogs did out there.”
“Don’t do that, Alvin,” Eddie warned, “Leave it the way it is.”
“Sure?”
“Yup,” Eddie responded.
“If that’s the way you want it,” Alvin sighed.
Alvin was quickly promoted to Sergeant and a few months later, an investigation by his chain of command resulted in an upgrade of his Distinguished Service Cross to the Medal of Honor and he eventually received 50 more awards. While decorating Sergeant Alvin York with the Croix de Guerre, Marshal Ferdinand Foch said, “What you did was the greatest thing accomplished by any soldier of all the armies of Europe.”
In attempting to explain his actions, while keeping his word to Eddie Dalton to leave him out of it, Alvin was purposely vague, “God told me that if I went to war that he would keep me safe. When I was out there fighting, three angels saved me.” Nobody ever found out that Alvin was referring to Eddie and his dogs.
After the war, Sergeant Alvin York returned to Tennessee to parades and notoriety, while Eddie Dalton found his way to Hollywood, California where he got a job with the Hal Roach studios as an animal trainer and technical advisor on military movies. He eventually became an assistant director on the King Vidor movie, The Big Parade about the warfare on the Western Front during World War I. Eddie also worked on Wings, the first Hollywood film to win an Academy Award in 1927. It was directed by William Wellman, who served in the French Foreign Legion and was the first American assigned to the Lafayette Escadrille in World War I. Wellman got the nickname ‘Wild Bill’ from his flying exploits.
Wings starred Clara Bow, Charles Buddy Rogers and Richard Arlen. Gary Cooper appeared in a small role which helped launch his movie career. During the filming Eddie became close friends with Wellman and Cooper. Both men were both dog lovers and thoroughly enjoyed having Corky and Stubby on location.
When there was down time on the set, Fast Eddie’ and ‘Wild Bill spent time together. When Corky and Stubby got older and Eddie knew that they didn’t have long to live, he bought a ranch in the San Fernando Valley and turned it into a sanctuary for them to live out their remaining days. As time passed Eddie began taking in animals that were used in the movie industry that had outlived their usefulness.
Service dogs were considered property and not living creatures by the military so they were often euthanized when they could no longer perform their duties. Eddie made arrangements with the Department of Defense to take as many of the animals that he could, rather than see them be killed. He brought them to the C&S Ranch, named for Corky and Stubby to live out the rest of their days in peace and comfort.
Many people in the entertainment industry including William Randolph Hearst donated generously to the noble cause. Eddie relocated his family from Topeka, Kansas to live on the ranch and help run it. It was here that he also trained younger animals for the movies. A ten-foot bronze monument was placed at the entrance to the property honoring Corky and Stubby’s as well as other dogs who served in combat. The inscription on it read; Dogs Also Served With Honor and Courage.
Alvin York had refused several times to authorize a film version of his life story. In 1939, Producer Hall Wallis and Director Howard Hawks drove to the C&S Ranch to talk with Eddie Dalton.
“I heard that you’re good friends with Alvin York,” Hal Wallis extended his hand in greeting.
“We served together in the war, why? Eddie asked.
“We’d like to do a movie about him,” Hal Wallis said.
“You know that he’s turned down other producers in the past,” Eddie responded, “What makes you think he’s changed his mind now?”
“He’s been trying to finance an inter-denominational bible school, and we would give him a substantial fee for the rights to his story,” Howard Hawks added, “More than enough to build that school.”
“Gary Cooper has already agreed to play Sergeant York if that makes any difference,” Hal Wallis said.
“I’ll also be looking for an assistant director and technical advisor if you’re interested,” Howard Hawks added.
“I know Alvin and he’s a simple man. I’ll give him the facts and your offer. I would rather not have an ulterior motive for bringing this to him,” Eddie countered.
Eddie and his friend World War I flying ace Eddie Rickenbacker flew to Tennessee to present the offer to Alvin.
“What do you think?” Alvin asked.
“This is your decision, not mine?” Eddie replied.
“Are you involved in this?” Alvin said.
“No, not at all, I’m just relaying the message.”
Alvin thought for a minute, “You were there and you know what really happened. You also know how they do things in the movies so if Mr. Wallis and Mr. Hawks want to tell my story, then you need to be part of it. No other way, I’ll do it.”
Eddie went back to California and gave Hal Wallis and Howard Hawks the news with Alvin’s conditions. They quickly agreed and things moved quickly from that point. Eddie reviewed the screenplay and although it contained some fictitious material, he recommended it to Alvin. The film was shot at several locations: Tennessee, Simi Valley, Calabassas and at the C&S Ranch. About halfway through the filming, Alvin came up to Eddie with a concerned look on his face, “Something is really bothering me.”
“What’s that?” Eddie asked.
“There ain’t nothing in the movie about you or your dogs and what y’all did. It ain’t fair that they’re making a movie about me being a hero, but none of this would have happened without you.”
“I appreciate your concern, I really do, but this movie is about you, not me. If they ever decide to make a movie about my dogs, then I’ll deal with it. Look at it this way, this film is going to help you, your school, your family and the animal sanctuary. The way I look at it, it is a win for everybody…right?” Eddie said.
“I guess when you put it that way,” Alvin smiled, “Roll cameras.”
The movie, Sergeant York was the highest grossing film of 1941 and was nominated for eleven Academy Awards and won five; Best Picture, Gary Cooper won for best actor, Walter Brennan for best supporting actor, Margaret Wycherly, best supporting actress, best film editing and best director for Howard Hawks. Alvin York received $150,000 and $100,000 was donated to the C&S animal sanctuary.
Alvin York will forever be immortalized as a true American hero, but only a few people actually know what really happened on October 8, 1918, in the dense Argonne Forest, but now you are privileged to be one of them. Long live the legends of courageous Fast Eddie Dalton, Captain Corky and Sergeant Stubby.
The End
Good information for cat owners. I appreciate the clear explanation.
What a great and historical story in today Sunday’s Vista Press by non other than my favorite writer and story story teller Mr. Thomas Calabrese. Today’s story takes back in time a bit where we meet the great Army solider Alvin York and a few unsung hero’s of WW 1. WW 1 was the war to end all wars, I guess this was wishful thinking. War by any other name is still a war. I enjoyed the way Mr. Calabrese injects a pre-depression ere young man that has a love of his two canines. He joins the Army and his two beautiful are conscripted into the Army only to have them serving together in the Great War with Sgt. Alvin York. Thank you Mr. Calabrese for this wonderful story for all to read.