The Military Mascots and Their Mysteries

By Lisa Bell

Do you remember when the sailors, soldiers and Marines had mascots on their deployments?

If not, you are not alone, the crew’s mascots or pets, are barely remembered by many people today.

When I was sorting out the files at the St. Marys Submarine Museum, I discovered their pictures, and I thought children would love to read about these amazing animals.? After the book was published, I was contacted by a Ninth-grade teacher who informed me that she used it to teach her class!? The book was written for six- to eight-year-olds.

Since people of all ages like to hear the stories about the mascots, I thought I would do a few for my older readers.

I am starting with Cosmo the penguin; he was a New Year’s Eve surprise to the crew of the USS Sennet (SS-408).? The submarine was there as a part of Operation High Jump according to the article I found in the files.

Early on December 31, 1946, Cosmo was sighted swimming down the port side of the Sennet surfacing and diving. He swam by and gave a curious look to the Sennet. Then he swam about 50 yards ahead of them, turned and headed straight for the boat. When he was about 10 yards away, he jumped out of the water and slid onto the deck and met a shocked TM3 Schropp! ?The word spread throughout the crew and Cosmo soon had quite an audience, which he seemed to love. He strutted back and forth and would stop and beat his chest with his flippers.? This bird knew how to entertain!

He found his home on the back of the boat and guarded it.? If someone went back there they got a tongue lashing from Cosmo.?

In addition to guarding his home, Cosmo was picky about his food. He would have nothing to do with the sardines the crew offered.? He insisted on jumping off the boat and getting his own dinner, then he returned to the Sennet.

The Sennet is listed as the first submarine to have a penguin for a mascot.

Now for the mystery:? The Ninth-grade teacher that used the book to teach her class was the daughter of one of the Sennet’s crew.? She had a letter from her father, crewman Arthur Walton that stated they had to “get rid of their dog as this kind of life was too much for him.? He never got any sunshine ...so we gave him to the B-29’ers so he will be one dog that has made war patrols on a sub and also raids over Japan in a B-29.”

Arthur’s daughter would love to know the name of the dog her father wrote about.? If anyone out there has any information I would love to get it to her.

If you have a mascot story, or like Arthur’s daughter a mystery, in your attic or photo album. Please send it to [email protected]

These animals gave the crew laughs and comfort during some tough times and they all deserve to be remembered along with their crews.

Credits: Harry Caldwell Jr, Polaris December 1984

photo credit to Bob Wiley

St. Marys Submarine Museum File