3. The Beer-Drinking Soldier Bear: Wojtek
During World War II, Polish soldiers of the 22nd Artillery Supply Company adopted a Syrian brown bear cub named Wojtek, who became both a morale booster and an active participant in their military efforts. Wojtek was officially enlisted as a private, complete with a service number, and was known for his fondness for beer and cigarettes. During the Battle of Monte Cassino in 1944, he assisted by carrying heavy crates of artillery shells, earning him a promotion to corporal. After the war, Wojtek lived at the Edinburgh Zoo until his death in 1963. (britannica.com)
