Sgt. Geronimo
In Commerce City, you’ll find the grave of Sergeant Geronimo, a member of the 507th Paratroop Infantry Regiment. But this paratrooper was unlike any other. Geronimo was a stray dog. His adopter’s regiment warmed immediately to the German Shepherd mix, equipped him with his own parachute, and trained him to jump out of airplanes. A trick he took on so eagerly that he had to be restrained from leaping out too soon.
Geronimo’s exhibition jumps over Denver thrilled crowds and earned him national media coverage. The airborne canine helped raise millions of dollars in war bonds, and he became the regiment’s mascot. But his true worth went far beyond fame. When his owner was badly injured, Geronimo alerted other soldiers to come to the rescue. In 1947, Sergeant Geronimo was laid to rest in the Denver Pet Cemetery, where you can still see a tribute to the parachuting dog of World War II.
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Colorado Postcards are snapshots of our colorful state in sound. They give brief insights into our people and places, our flora and fauna, and our past and present, from every corner of Colorado. See more postcards.
