05/25/2026
🇺🇸 🐾This Memorial Day we honor our fallen soldiers and the four-legged partners who fought beside them.
In 2007, Marine Cpl Dustin Lee and his military working dog, Lex, were deployed together in Iraq.
The two were wounded during a 73 mm rocket attack. Dustin was fatally wounded, and Lex suffered shrapnel injuries during the explosion.
According to fellow Marines, Lex remained beside his handler until other Marines arrived. Not wanting to leave him.
After 12 weeks of medical treatment, Lex recovered and returned to active duty. But Dustin’s parents fought for months to bring Lex home, believing a bond between the two should not end there.
The Lee’s family request was the first of its kind. After months of prayers, mailing letters and hundreds of phone calls, their request to adopt Lex was granted.
In December 2007, Lex became the first military working dog in Marine Corps history to be given early retirement and adopted by the family of a fallen Marine.
Today we remember the men and women who never made it home. We honor and thank those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms.
