Militare Omnia Animalia Curant
Mexican Punitive Expedition. The 5th U.S. Cavalry passing near San Geronimo. Colonel Wilder of the 5th Cavalry in front on the left, Colonel Tate of the 11th Cavalry in front on the right, during the campaign against Villa, 15 May 1916. Signal Corps Photo 111-SC-102703
Some 110 years ago today, on 4 June 1916, the U.S. Army established the Veterinary Corps as part of the National Defense Act. While each field artillery and cavalry regiment had enlisted farriers and medical officers, they were part of the regiment itself or drawn from remount depots as needed.
Beginning with just 72 veterinary officers and no enlisted, the Corps was tasked with caring for a vast number of animals crucial to the Army’s operations at home, on campaign in Mexico and the Philippines, and, soon, on the battlefields of Europe.
By the end of the Great War, the Veterinary Corps numbered no less than 2,312 officers and 16,391 enlisted personnel, primarily supporting the American Expeditionary Force in Europe, which fielded over 165,000 mules and horses. Such personnel also took care of the myriad of unofficial mascot and casualty dogs adopted by units headed “Over There.”
Of note, the Fifth Avenue Uniform Company alone produced 377,000 American-made horse gas masks during the war.
Masked horse and rider, Western Front, 10 June 1918, Signal Corps Photo 165-WW-96H-1
The U.S. Army Veterinary Corps is still going strong and still specializes in horses, mules, and military working dogs. Their historical motto is “Militare Omnia Animalia Curant” (They Care for All Military Animals).