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Dozo
DOZO:
MASCOT OF THE USS HERON (AMS-18)
(The Story of A Little Dog, Rescued from the Pusan Perimeter
War Zone
By Burl
E. Gilliland, CAPT, USNR, Retired
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Dozo
Click the image for a larger view |
Dozo with EN1 Murphy on USS Heron in North Korean waters. Summer
'51 |
Some time during
late 1950, when the North Koreans had overrun South Korea, except
for the "Pusan Perimeter," some sailors on the USS HERON
(AMS-18) rescued a small yellow dog that was almost starved. As
I heard the story, the dog had somehow escaped the multitude of
starving and destitute South Koreans who, at that time, because
of the dire circumstances, would probably have eaten the dog in
order to survive themselves. The sailors took the dog on board
their ship, hid her below decks, and fed and nurtured her back
to health. The sailors feared that the skipper of the ship, |
| DIXON LADEMAN,
would make them put the dog ashore if he discovered the dog on
board the ship. But, alas, the frisky canine was all over the
ship, and everyone, including the skipper, accepted and loved
the little dog. She became the beloved mascot of the USS HERON
(AMS-18). The sailors had intended to beg the commanding officer
to PLEASE, PLEASE let them keep the dog. But when they discovered
that both the skipper and the exec (JAY J. VERMILYA) also loved
the dog, they immediately named the dog DOZO. They said that DOZO
is the word for "PLEASE" in Japanese |
Dozo and ENS Gilliland off coast of North Korea, Feb. 1951 |
Dozo jumping for a raw potato held by
EN3 Maerten. Potatoes were her favorite food. |
I reported aboard the USS HERON at
Pusan in January of 1951. My main assignment was as Engineering
Officer. But because the AMS type ships had only 4 officers, I
had a multitude of collateral assignments. So I immediately became
acquainted with DOZO, and accepted her as one of the crew. DOZO
was often on the flying bridge, in the pilot house, in the radio
shack, in the crews quarters, in the small wardroom, in both engine
rooms—in short she was all over the ship. She slept with
the sailors in the crews quarters. She was well fed and well cared
for. |
| DOZO was there during the times
we swept and exploded mines. She witnessed our getting shelled
by shore batteries many times as we swept close to the North Korean
shores. She braved storms at sea. She withstood sub-zero weather
on the open decks during minesweeping operations. She loved and
respected every person on that ship. She exuded happiness everywhere
she went. She loved life and provided joy in others lives. DOZO
was more than pleasing: she was a blessing! Everyone on board
had some sort of camera. DOZO was probably photographed more than
any |
Dozo |
| person aboard that ship. I must say that she got us through
many crises, depressive moments, and monotonous periods. I am
sure that few people can comprehend how much DOZO meant to that
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Dozo and RM1 Harbert aboard USS Heron AMS 18 at sea enroute
from Korea to Sasebo, Japan. Dozo is sitting in the Captain's
chair |
crew of minesweeping
sailors and officers on that ship during the fury of the Korean
War.
When I departed the USS HERON in Korean waters in the early
spring of 1952 (with orders to be engineering officer of the
USS BROADBILL (AM-58) in San Diego and later Charleston, SC)
DOZO, was still there, faithfully providing comfort and companionship
to every man on the HERON. I often wonder what happened to that
marvelous pooch. Now, after over 50 years, the only tangible
artifacts I have are a few old, black and white photographs
of DOZO with crew members. Oh, but I still have my fond memories.
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Photographs by Burl Gilliland, Ens,
USNR
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