Military Working Dogs (MWDs) serve valiantly in our nation’s military. Just like their human counterparts, they put their life on the line every day when they show up for work in war zones.

When one falls, they’re honored as a military veteran.

The recent death of MWD Tyson has inspired one of the soldiers who worked beside him to speak out.

While dogs have served in militaries around the world since ancient times, dogs only started serving in the U.S. military in 1942.

Since then, they have gone on to distinguish themselves for their loyalty and dedication to their duty, even in the face of certain death.

A hero killed in action

Belgian Malinois MWD Tyson was attached to a Navy SEAL team.

It was while serving alongside his fellow soldiers that he was killed in action. The loss to his handler and his unit was devastating.

Unfortunately, his handler was unable to speak out about his passing.

In a video, though, another member of the SEAL team on which he served was able to speak out about serving alongside Tyson.

According to the servicemember, Tyson was good at his job. He was trained to use his silent body language to alert his fellow soldiers to danger and did so regularly.

The MWD training process

Like many other MWDs, Tyson had undergone a difficult training process. Not only is the U.S. military’s K9 program designed to give MWDs the skills that they need to serve in war zones around the world.

It also helps weed out the dogs that are not a good fit for the job.

A dog who becomes distracted doesn’t follow orders, or is too friendly, among other traits can disqualify a dog for such work.

Not to say there is anything wrong with a dog who is friendly to others, but in combat, such a trait can mean the difference between life and death for the dog, handler, and soldiers that serve alongside them.

A dog has to be tough and focused to be an MWD.

Tyson excelled at his job.

It is this rigorous training that places MWDs a cut above when it comes to military work, and can often leave many suffering from the same PTSD that their fellow soldiers suffer from.

This is why MWDs are placed with their handler or a fellow soldier if they do make it to retirement.

It took a rocket to stop him.

Unfortunately, Tyson did not make it to that point. During his time of service before his death, he had been responsible for saving the lives of countless soldiers.

On this particular occasion, though, he was killed instantly when he was hit by an incoming rocket.

As a result, his body absorbed most of the force of the explosion, and while the blast took him, he saved the lives of his fellow soldiers once again.

Living on in the memory of those he served with

He will be missed by his handler and those with whom he served. But as long as there are those to remember his dedication to his team and his selfless loyalty to the soldiers he served with, he will never be forgotten.

For more on Tyson and his heroism, watch the video below.

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Source: The Veterans Site, YouTube – ABC 10 News, The Balance Careers