Vietnam War Photos - Dogs

The U.S. Army employed tracker dogs during the Vietnam War to trace the scent of enemy forces. Combat Tracker Teams (CTT) typically consisted of a Labrador retriever and five men: the team leader, a visual tracker, a radio-telephone operator, a cover man and the dog handler. Beginning in July 1966, tracker teams were rigorously trained at the British Jungle Warfare School in Malaysia. The Army subsequently established its own CTT school in Fort Gordon, GA in mid 1968, which conducted training until the program was phased out in 1970. As well as tracking, sentry dogs were also employed in Vietnam by the Air Force, Navy and by Army MPs.

Lance Corporal Ralph McWilliams stands with his scout dog "Major".

A dog handler with a combat tracker team from the 4th Inf.

Handler of the 57th Scout Dog Platoon, 46th Infantry, 198th Brigade, Americal Division, carries an XM177 series rifle whilst on operations west of Chu Lai (I Corps).

Members of the 61st Combat Tracker Team attached to the 1st Infantry Division are briefed prior to a patrol near Lai Khe (III corps).

A Scout-Dog Handler with the 3rd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division wears a locally made camouflage boonie hat.

A dog crawls through a tunnel obstacle at the USARV Dog Training Detachment at Bien Hoa.

A Dog Handler of the 49th Scout Dog Platoon searches for Viet Cong booby traps.

Sign of the USARV Dog Training Detachment at Bien Hoa.