We've just posted a "new" picture of Boozer, but one that broke men and women's hearts on Shemya before the Boozer of the late 50's and 60's. Jerry Dubuque, stationed on Shemya from 1943 to 1946, was kind enough to send us a picture of a little puppy peeking over the top of the combat boot in which he was cradled, and the story to accompany Boozer I.

The Boozer folks knew in the 50's and 60's must have been therefore "Boozer II" (for the lack of a better way to describe the 2nd Boozer. There was also a third Boozer on the Rock in 1975-1976!). Boozer II had a place in virtually everyone's heart. This can be attested to by the inscription on the plaque donated in Boozer II's memory as follows: "The Greatest Morale Factor on Shemya Since WWII."

The story of how man's (and women's, it turns out) best friends originally found their ways to the Aleutian Islands has yet to be precisely understood. It is known that during WW-II  several GIs, including high-ranking officers, brought dogs with them into the war zones. The GIs had somehow inherited these dogs as they traveled along the way from the comforts of their home in the "good old USA" to their assignments in the cold, windy, miserable Aleutians. These companions were seen as new friends wanting nothing but a little attention, some food, and a warm place to sleep...much like the GIs assigned to the Aleutians. Kindred spirits, no doubt. Jerry Dubuque's story about the original Boozer sheds a lot of light on this "mystery!"

I knew of Boozer II from hearsay, stories, and from the inscription on the plaque commemorating Boozer (II) by earlier inhabitants of Shemya Island, AK. We also had a dog named "Boozer," Boozer III I suspect, when I was stationed on the Rock from 1975-76, and, like his famous  ancestors, he was a friend to all. He could be found on the stage at the base theater during Commander's Call standing alongside the troops. You would see him riding on the shuttle bus as well as in whatever other vehicle would give him a lift. This page is dedicated to the original Boozer and all of his offspring and namesakes. Without a doubt, the Boozers were perhaps the most famous of all of Shemya's inhabitants.

Over the years several folks have donated pictures and stories of the Boozer(s). It is from these sources that this page has been assembled. My thanks goes out to Walter Williams (1958-1959), Charles Bryan (1960-1961), Ron Rough (1961-1962), Tim Wesbecher (Aug 65 - Aug 66), Tom Ryan (1966),  Bruce Stern (1968-1969), Duane McEwen, Don Timmons, and most recently Don Maris and Ron Austin. These inputs stretch from 1999 to 7 Dec 2007. If I have somehow missed your inputs to this story, or if you have additional stories to share, please get in touch and I'd be happy to add your contribution. A special thanks goes to Jerry Dubuque (1943-1946)  for supplying information about the "original" Boozer, Boozer I.

Smitty

The Original "Boozer"
1944 - ?

Jerry

e-Mail: Jerry Dubuque
Shemya, 1943 - 1946

(Additional Thanks to The Sterlings for their help!)

Boozer Stories

April 1958-May 1959. USAFSS Shemya Station.
Boozer was two years old and maintained by the ASA. I helped maintain the three other island dogs, Squirt, Scar, and Squeaky. Boozer loved suds and snickers, and had to be lifted into the weapons carrier. FPS 17 built.
Walter Williwams

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Fall of 1958...Boozer was special friend of mine (see two photos above, one with John Stillwell...John, you out there somewhere?). I use to take him to the wooden movie theatre and put him down sideways in front of me and put my feet under him to keep them warm. He never seemed to mind. My last night on Shemya I did exactly that. I left Boozer with my friend in the theatre.  Don Maris

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Sep 60- Sep 61. Speaking of Boozer, ours was a black Husky loved by everyone and who tolerated all except the Doctor (so they said) because he gave him his shots. Boozer died 12/31/68, buried at the flag pole I understand. Charles Bryan

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Oct 61-Nov 62. There were 4 dogs on station at that time. Boozer, Neal, and 2 smaller mutts that I don't believe had names. We were threatened with Article 15's once for taking Boozer into the barracks and giving him a shower. Ron Rough

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Aug 65 - Aug 66 (and again 1995-96) The pictures I am sending are of boozer, I understand he died sometime in the late sixties. Tim Wesbecher

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1966. The photo of Boozer II (2nd photo from top of page) was taken in the summer of 1966. Boozer was a malamute husky and the mascot of the USAFSS. He slept out in front of the consolidated and his favorite food was knockwurst soaked in beer. Unfortunately, the guys frequently kept Boozer drunk until Draino put a ban on that activity. Boozer had a son named LBJ (some thought after our then president) but it actually meant Little Boozer Junior. The president was referred to in far less kinder words (flim flam man, teenage assassin, etc.) Tom Ryan

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Apr 68 - Apr 69. I was on the rock from April 68 to April 69. I worked in the orderly room under Col. Ashworth and Capt Dorsey. When I arrived boozer was still walking around. On new years day I and the rest of the base attended boozer's funeral. Bruce Stern

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Dec 68 - Jan 69. I found a copy of the USAF Alaskan Communications Region Newssheet "The Circuit" dated Dec 1968/Jan 1969. There is about a page and a half article in there from TSgt, Earl Dye, Information NCO, 2064 Comm Sq., Shemya, Alaska. One of the main parts of the article concerns the demise of Boozer. That portion of the article follows:

TRIBUTE TO BOOZER II

At 1200 hours on the last day of 1968, a living legend, Boozer, was put to sleep on Shemya following a long illness. The 2064th Comm Sq., together with other organizations of the base, turned out in mourning when Col. Ashworth, Base Commander and Lt. Col. Slesinger, USASA Commander, acting on the advice of the Base Surgeon's Office, authorized Boozer's demise. Although at different times Boozer was claimed by both the Army and the Air Force units as their mascot, it is generally conceded that he belonged to the entire island. The island also belonged to Boozer; there was nowhere that he was not welcome. He was so popular that US Army Security Agency Field Station, Shemya, appointed Boozer a Command Sergeant Major. It is believed he also carried a colonelcy in the Air Force Reserve. "Often touted as the greatest morale factor on Shemya, Boozer, the island's oldest and longest steady resident was laid to rest on New Year's Day 1969 in a place of honor next to the Shemya "plug." The dog, who was at least part Husky, had a somewhat nebulous history. It is commonly thought that he was brought to the island in 1956 by the Army commander at the time and was somewhere between 12 and 16 years old. Anyone having information concerning Boozer's history is encouraged to submit it so that a factual history can be developed. A collection has already been started for a bronze plaque commemorating Boozer. It will be affixed to the wall at the main entrance to the Composite Building where Boozer could be found when alive. Donations for the plaque and information concerning Boozer may be sent to CO, USAFS, Shemya, APO Seattle 98736."                      Duane McEwen

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FOUND A REQUEST FOR A PICTURE OF THE PLAQUE THEY
PUT UP ON THE COMPOSITE BUILDING. I REVISITED THE ISLAND IN 1998 AND TOOK A PICTURE OF IT. ITS NOT A GOOD PICTURE, BUT CAN BE READ. THE FIRST, OR "REAL" BOOZER IS THE ONE COMMEMORATED. HE DIED DEC 31 1968, 5 YEARS AFTER I LEFT. I AM TOLD HE IS BURIED NEAR THE FLAG POLE WHICH MADE SO MUCH NOISE, OR USED TO. IT FINALLY BROKE OFF AT THE BASE. DON TIMMONS

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I was on Shemya from 1963-1964 with the 79th USASASOU. I did cartoons for the rag after Gerry Butler left. For reasons known only to the military, the PX received a gross or two of condoms while I was there. Remember, there were no women, and this was before AIDS was a concern. I did a cartoon of Boozer standing in front of the glass counter, curiously pondering the items (there weren't any "ladies" there for Boozer either). One of the most striking things as I surfed the [Shemya] guest comments was how strongly Boozer (and Neal) planted themselves in folks minds. Neal, for those who didn't know him, was a spec 5 who simply had an amazing empathy with Boozer and the other three dogs then in residence. If I remember right, one was killed to Neal's great grief and sadness. Boozer was primo, but Neal's love for all four critters, and theirs for him, was something special. I've seldom seen such strong emotional glue between human and animals. Boozer visited with everyone, however, and was invariably treated to chips and a bowl of beer. (How long did this dog live?) In return, he protected us. One time in the gym, I was punching up the heavy bag when furry blackness flashed in front of me, ripping the bag from it's chains. If that bag was my enemy, it was Boozer's too! He pinned the bag: Dog, 10 - bag, zero. Only time I saw him mad, although he wasn't always real fond of the other pooches.  William Yund

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I had the honor of living on Shemya (the Rock) from October 1968 to October 1969.I was a pallbearer at Boozer's funeral. A very short background. There were two Air force and two Army pallbearers for the ceremony with an Army SFC behind the pallbearers. Many of the officers on the island showed up for the ceremony in Class A uniforms and stood to the side during the ceremony more or less at attention. We carried Boozer to the base of the flag pole and the concrete "Fire plug" and buried him there. I don't remember the names of the other pallbearers, I am the young (then) Staff Sergeant on the front right corner of the casket.

Steve Brown
USA retired
 

(Click thumbnail for larger image)

Click HERE for more pictures from Steve Brown

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Bruce Stern, also a former resident of Shemya, provided these pictures of Boozer's funeral service:

Our thanks goes to Bruce for providing these additional pictures. You can see how much respect Boozer commanded by observing those in attendance, including many of the Officer Corp stationed on Shemya at the time. You can e-mail Bruce: e-mail Bruce

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A great contributor to our Shemya web site over the years has been King Hawes. Here's a picture of Boozer and Ltc. D. Critchlow, Pilot, standing in front of Bldg 600.

Now, there's one well-fed puppy!

More! Boozer, Page 2

Last Updated: 07 Dec 2007 10:04

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as of 19 March 2006