Sinbad (USCG)

Sinbad
K9C Sinbad, USCG (Ret.)
Born	apx. 1937 New York
Died	30 December 1951 Barnegat Light Station, New Jersey
Allegiance	United States
Years of service	1937-1948
Rank	Chief Dog
Unit	USCGC Campbell (WPG-32)
Battles/wars	World War II

Sinbad (c. 1937 – 30 December 1951) was a mixed-breed dog that was one of two animals to be classified as non-commissioned officers by an arm of the United States military, rather than property, prior to the enactment of regulations to prohibit such (the other being Sergeant Stubby USA, WWI) after being enlisted by the creative crew of USCGC Campbell. Prior to and after an official retirement, Sinbad was assigned the rank of K9C or "Chief Dog" - equivalent to Chief Petty Officer. At the time of the biography written by George Foley, no other member of the United States Coast Guard had yet been the subject of a published biography. Sinbad spent 11 years at sea on the Campbell including combat in World War II that became widely publicized as part of the homefront campaign.

Sinbad's birth is not recorded, but he was obtained by Chief Boatswain's Mate A. A. "Blackie" Rother of the USCGC George W. Campbell, who intended the dog as a gift for a girlfriend. She did not take him in due to a restriction against pets in her apartment building, leaving Rother with him as he returned from liberty in 1937. No crewman would take the dog, leaving him a stray without an owner, but most wanted him to remain on board. To justify enlistment, thereby eliminating the need for a master, the crew said that Sinbad displayed the attributes of a sailor by drinking coffee, whiskey with beer chasers at port bars, having regular and general quarters duty stations, and generally demonstrating seamanship. According to the Coast Guard and several published articles, he was enlisted into the service with his pawprint on enlistment papers. As Foley notes, Sinbad was assigned his own service and Red Cross identification numbers, service record, and bunk. He was also recorded as a member of the Society of Polar Explorers. Being prone to the indiscretions of both a canine and a sailor, Sinbad was subject to Captains Mast on two occasions, and was promoted and demoted in rank on several occasions. Sinbad ended his time at sea with the rank K9C Chief Dog and commensurate pay rate.

Sinbad was aboard Campbell throughout World War II while the cutter was assigned to convoy escort duty in the Atlantic. Although publicity photos depicted Sinbad standing helmeted on the barrel of a large gun, he actually stayed below decks with a general quarters duty post "assigned to damage control", keeping him away from the sound of gunfire.