December 4, 1966. Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Vietnam. Airman 2nd Class Robert “Bob” Thorneburg and his partner, Nemo A534— a German Shepherd with nerves of steel — were on patrol. Suddenly, gunfire erupted. Thorneburg was shot in the shoulder.
Nemo took a bullet to the face. But instead of retreating, Nemo threw himself over his handler, guarding him until help arrived.
That act of bravery didn’t just save a life; it forged a legend.
Fast forward to April 2, 2024. Thorneburg’s family visited the 341st Training Squadron at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. There, they saw firsthand the legacy of their father and his loyal companion.
Nemo’s story is now a cornerstone of the Military Working Dog (MWD) handler course, inspiring a new generation of handlers.
For years, the family knew little of Bob’s heroics. It wasn’t until grandson Jett discovered a book featuring Nemo that the magnitude of Bob’s story became clear. “I never understood how many people knew,” Jett said. “When we walked in the theater, and they asked who knew Nemo, and everybody said they know who Nemo is. I never realized; everybody knows.”
Nemo recovered from his injuries, though he lost an eye. He became one of the first K-9s retired from service, returning to Lackland Air Force Base as a recruiting dog. He died in December 1972, but his kennel stands as a memorial to the bravery of Military Working Dogs.
Bob Thorneburg passed away in 2020, but his and Nemo’s story continues to resonate. Their bond exemplifies the unbreakable connection between handler and dog—a partnership forged in trust, tested in battle, and honored forever.
So, next time you see a working dog, remember Nemo A534. He wasn’t just a dog; he was a warrior, a hero, and a symbol of unwavering loyalty.