Loyal Beyond Words: “We Also Served” by Erin McGill

History books tell the stories of the people who served in wartime. But “We Also Served: True Stories of Brave Animals in the Military” reminds readers that humans were not the only ones on those battlefields, in those skies, and on those seas. Erin McGill’s illustrated collection gathers true accounts of the courageous, loyal, and often astonishing animals who served alongside military forces throughout history—and whose contributions were sometimes the difference between mission success and catastrophic failure. 

Animals as True Participants 

Carrier pigeons who delivered critical messages through enemy fire. Dogs who sniffed out hidden dangers and guided soldiers through impossible conditions. Horses who carried troops across terrain that machines couldn’t navigate. Elephants who moved supplies through dense jungle. The animals in “We Also Served” weren’t mascots or symbols—they were participants, trained and deployed for specific purposes, and they performed with a courage that defies easy categorization because it was entirely instinctive. 

McGill treats each animal with the seriousness their service deserves. The stories are historically grounded and emotionally genuine—never sentimental to the point of distortion, but never clinical to the point of missing what makes these accounts so moving. These animals served without choosing to, and many of them gave everything. That fact sits quietly at the heart of each story. 

What Children Take Away 

For young readers, “We Also Served” does several things at once. It teaches military history through a lens that is engaging and emotionally accessible without dwelling on the violence of war. It builds empathy for animals in a context that is both factual and profound. And it complicates the word “served”—expanding it beyond human experience to encompass a kind of loyalty and usefulness that crosses species lines. 

The book is perfect for animal lovers and military families alike, as its subtitle suggests. But its reach is broader: any child who has ever trusted an animal, or felt trusted by one, will recognize something in these stories. 

History Through a Different Door 

“We Also Served” is the kind of nonfiction book that makes children want to read more history—because it reveals that history is full of remarkable, true stories that nobody told them about yet. The animals here are not footnotes. They are the story. 

Perfect For 

Grades 3–5 readers and history/social studies units on military service, World War history, or community helpers. An exceptional choice for animal lovers and military families. Strong connections to themes of loyalty, service, and the human-animal bond. Excellent read-aloud for classroom discussion.