American soldier rescued puppy in 1918 France before Hollywood fame

In 1918, an American soldier named Lee Duncan rescued a puppy from a kennel destroyed by shelling in France, Wamiz.co.uk reported. The puppy was named Rin Tin Tin and later became a Hollywood superstar. [1]

Duncan discovered two puppies in the destroyed French kennel, according to reports from the Riverside Metropolitan Museum cited by Wamiz.co.uk. He named the two dogs Rin Tin Tin and Nanette. [1]

Voice of America reported that the names were inspired by lucky charm dolls given to American soldiers by French children. Duncan brought both dogs back to the United States in 1919 after his military service. [1]

NPR reported through author Susan Orlean that Duncan spent five years in an orphanage as a child, which gave him a soft spot for animals. Nanette died of pneumonia shortly after arriving in the United States, leaving Rin Tin Tin to grow into a famous cinematic legend. [1]