Lucca - Fort Worth, TX
Posted by: WalksfarTX
N 32° 44.578 W 097° 22.116
14S E 652847 N 3623970
In front of the National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame.
Waymark Code: WM15659
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 10/23/2021
Views: 3
Plaque:
"Send Me"
Lucca K458, USMC
2004-2018
1 MARINE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE (MEF)
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?"
And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"
-Isaiah 6:8
Lucca was a German Shepherd/Belgian Mainois mix who served with the United States Marine Corps for six years. Stationed first at Lackland Air Force Base in 2006, Lucca trained at MCB Camp Lejeune in 2007, and then MCB Camp Pedleton from 2008-2012 to detect explosives. Lucca's distinguished record includes leading more than 400 patrols in Afghanistan and Iraq during three combat tours. She's credited with over 40 confirmed finds of insurgents, explosives and ammunition - and for having no human casualities during her patrols.
In 2012, while on patrol in Afghanistan she was injured by an IED blast that led to the amputation of her left leg. After recovering at MCB Camp Pendleton Lucca officially retired in 2012 and was adopted by her original handler, Gunnery Sergeant Christ Willingham.
Lucca died peacefully on January 20, 2018.
Medals
Animals in War & Peace Medal of Bravery #6
Great Britian's PDSA Dickin Medal #67
- First US Marine Corps dog to receive the honor
Joscelyn Russell, Artist