10 Animal Heroes Recognized with Formal Awards and Honors

5. Simon the Cat - Naval Hero of the Royal Navy

Simon, a black and white cat aboard HMS Amethyst, became an unlikely naval hero during the Yangtze Incident of 1949, earning the distinction of being the only cat to receive the Dickin Medal for gallantry. Simon's story began when he was found as a stray kitten in Hong Kong and adopted by the crew of HMS Amethyst in 1948. Initially serving as the ship's cat with the typical duties of controlling the rat population, Simon's true heroism emerged during a harrowing 101-day ordeal when the ship became trapped on the Yangtze River during the Chinese Civil War. When Communist forces shelled the vessel, Simon was severely wounded by shrapnel but remarkably survived the attack that killed several crew members, including the captain. Despite his injuries, Simon continued his vital work of protecting the ship's food supplies from rats, maintaining morale among the traumatized crew through his presence and affection. His dedication to duty while recovering from his wounds demonstrated extraordinary courage and resilience. During the long siege, Simon's companionship proved invaluable to the crew's psychological well-being, providing comfort during their darkest hours. When HMS Amethyst finally escaped to freedom, Simon was hailed as a hero and awarded the Dickin Medal "for disposing of many rats though wounded by shell blast, and for raising the morale of the ship's company." Tragically, Simon died shortly after returning to the UK due to complications from his war injuries, but his legacy as a feline war hero remains unmatched in naval history.