Heartwarming Honor: Marine Corps Mascot Cpl. Chesty XVI Awarded Good Conduct Medal by Secretary Phelan, Who Also Just Ended Cruel Dog and Cat Testing in Navy Labs
During an uplifting ceremony that showcased the best of our military traditions, Corporal Chesty XVI, the beloved English Bulldog mascot of the United States Marine Corps, was awarded the prestigious Navy and Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal.
The event, held at the historic Marine Barracks Washington on Tuesday, honored the unwavering loyalty and spirit of man’s best friend in uniform.
Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan personally presented the medal to Chesty XVI, recognizing his exemplary conduct over three years of devoted service from March 14, 2022, to March 14, 2025.
During the heartfelt presentation, Secretary Phelan didn’t hold back on his praise for the good boy.
“It is not every day the Secretary of the Navy gets to award a medal for exemplary conduct to a Marine who inspires thousands, draws a crowd wherever he goes, and always looks sharp in uniform,” Phelan said during the ceremony. “I have presented many awards in my time but I will admit this is the first where I half expected the recipient to try to eat the medal.”
Chesty XVI is the 16th in a proud line of bulldog mascots named after legendary Lt. Gen. Lewis “Chesty” Puller, the most decorated Marine in history.
“I would like to think that if he were here today, he would look at this fine bulldog standing tall in formation representing the very spirit of the Corps, grin that famous grin, and say, ‘Good work, Marine. Keep leading from the front,’” Phelan said.
When he’s not on duty, this enthusiastic bulldog loves chilling with his handler, Staff Sgt. Scott Rogers, and chasing soccer balls around the barracks. The ceremony wrapped up with renditions of “Anchors Aweigh” and the “Marines’ Hymn,” followed by a reception where Marines and guests celebrated this four-legged hero.
This feel-good story doesn’t stop at one dog’s well-deserved medal. It ties directly into a significant victory for animal lovers and taxpayers alike, spearheaded by the same Navy Secretary Phelan under the Trump administration. Just a couple of months ago, Phelan announced the complete termination of all Navy research involving cruel testing on cats and dogs, putting an end to inhumane practices that wasted millions in taxpayer dollars.
“Thanks to WCW’s relentless investigation and public campaign, this lab, and all future Navy tests on dogs and cats, are now a thing of the past”
Major Victory! U.S. Navy Bans All Dog & Cat Experiments Thanks To White Coat Waste Project
via @WorldAnimalNews
In a landmark… pic.twitter.com/Jwxc2kFIxX
— White Coat Waste (@WhiteCoatWaste) June 2, 2025
This long-overdue ban came after relentless pressure from the White Coat Waste Project, a watchdog group dedicated to exposing and stopping government-funded animal abuse.
“Secretary Phelan is a hero for pets and taxpayers. His historic decision to enact a Navy-wide ban on wasteful and cruel dog and cat experiments—following White Coat Waste’s investigations—sets a gold standard all government agencies should follow,” WCW Vice President Justin Goodman told The Gateway Pundit.
From honoring Chesty XVI to slamming the door on wasteful, cruel lab experiments, it’s clear the Trump team is delivering real wins for our four-legged friends.
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