Veterans Call for Hero Dog Conan to Receive Purple Heart for ISIS Victory
Belgian Malinois had key role in ISIS leader Abu Bakr al Baghdadi's death
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Combat veterans are calling for "hero dog" Conan, made famous by President Donald Trump for his role in the takedown of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al Baghdadi, to receive a Purple Heart medal for his actions during the operation.
The Belgian Malinois is credited with frightening Baghdadi into detonating his suicide vest, yet the heroic K-9 is not eligible for a Purple Heart, despite his injuries, much to the dismay of some veteran advocates.
Conan is reportedly scheduled to visit President Trump at the White House next week for his role in killing the world's most wanted terrorist.
Valiant canine Conan is reportedly a veteran of more than 50 missions.
However, "military working dogs are not eligible for the Purple Heart," a spokesperson for the Department of Defense told the New York Post.
Multiple human combat vets and Purple Heart recipients, who’ve worked closely with military dogs, say courageous canines like Conan were the reason many of them are alive today, branding the lack of awards a "snub."
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“Do I believe Conan should receive a Purple Heart for actions on target? Absolutely,” former Army Ranger Michael Bollinger told the New York Post.
“They’re out there with us every step of the way.”
James Knuppenburg, who was awarded a Purple Heart after a sniper shot him in Kandahar, Afghanistan, concurs with Bollinger, also telling the Post that Conan deserves the medal.
"I would love to see Conan presented a Purple Heart with a live ceremony," Knuppenburg said.
"I think that the K9 is the most valuable asset on the ground.
"I don’t think that you can replicate through technology or any sort of weaponry what the K9 is capable of …
"Without a doubt I think that any award — including the medal of honor — should be able to be received by a K9."
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Earlier this week, Trump announced Conan would visit the White House and shared a lighthearted meme of himself awarding the heroic dog a Medal of Honor.
The move prompted the establishment media to whip itself up into a fury.
Thank you Daily Wire. Very cute recreation, but the “live” version of Conan will be leaving the Middle East for the White House sometime next week! https://t.co/Z1UfhxsSpT
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 31, 2019
The leader of the free world is ganking boomer memes from Ben Shapiro's clickbait factory https://t.co/3vZoxletzB
— Justin Baragona (@justinbaragona) October 30, 2019
Why the terrible photoshop on top of everything else? WHY? https://t.co/ZogZwAyvmL
— Anushay Hossain (@AnushayHossain) October 30, 2019
Following the successful raid on al-Baghdadi, Conan has returned to duty in the Middle East, per Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley.
