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In 1949, naval hero cat Simon kept at his post, killing off rats, after being wounded when vessel was bombarded. He was posthumously awarded a medal. Such an amazing story of bravery!
A hero, and very important to those who served with him. British naval hero cat named Simon belonged to the captain of the British ship H.M.S. Amethyst.
When the vessel was bombarded by Chinese Communists on the Yangtze River on April 20, 1949, the captain and many of his crew were killed. Simon, suffering wounds, singed whiskers and paws, kept at his post, killing off rats that had been frightened out of hiding by the shellfire.
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His incredible number of “catches” were recorded by the awed crew. And on reaching Hong Kong, no one was surprised that Simon’s fame had preceded him, and he was greeted at the port with gifts, letters and telegrams of congratulations.
After the war, Simon was returned to England with the rest of the troops where he retired. He was posthumously awarded the Dickin Medal, the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross.
