The John Douangdara & Bart the Warrior Dog Awards

The John Douangdara & Bart the Warrior Dog Awards honor the legacy of Petty Officer John Douangdara and his loyal military working dog, Bart, who both made the ultimate sacrifice during the tragic Extortion 17 incident in 2011. The awards recognize outstanding dedication, skill, and commitment in the world of working dogs, especially in military and law enforcement roles.

John “Jet Lee” Douangdara was a highly skilled Navy SEAL dog handler and a member of the elite DEVGRU (SEAL Team Six) who dedicated his life to serving his country. He completed three tours in Iraq and was on his second tour in Afghanistan when he and Bart, along with other DEVGRU operators and U.S. military personnel, boarded a CH-47 Chinook helicopter as part of a quick reaction force. Tragically, they lost their lives when the helicopter was shot down while responding to Army Rangers under attack in Wardak province, Afghanistan.

John’s devotion to his dogs was unwavering. Even as he advanced in his military career, his family remained unaware of the true danger of his missions. His sister recalls that John spoke mostly about his dogs, never revealing the full extent of his role within SEAL Team Six. It wasn’t until after his passing that his family learned just how critical and perilous his work had been.

The awards ceremony at UNITED K9 will be a solemn and meaningful tribute to John and Bart, with John’s father Mr Douangdara presenting the awards. We are also honored to welcome other Gold Star families who lost their loved ones during the Extortion 17 incident, in collaboration with the Michael Strange Foundation. This award presentation is a moment to remember those who gave everything in service to their country while celebrating the extraordinary bond between handlers and their canine partners.

Join us as we honor their memory and recognize the outstanding contributions of working dogs and their handlers in the spirit of John and Bart’s courage and dedication.

🏆 French Ring Competition Award – Recognizing the top-performing team in the French Ring event.

🏆 Search & Rescue Award – Honoring outstanding achievement in search and rescue operations.

🏆 Best Performing Decoy Dog Award – Presented to the most exceptional decoy-trained dog under Todos’ seminar.

We are proud to create this award in collaboration with the incredible sculptor Susan Bahary, who originally crafted the powerful monument of John and Bart at Siouxland Freedom Park in South Sioux City, Nebraska. A second sculpture, titled “Service and Sacrifice,” was commissioned by the U.S. War Dogs Association National Headquarters and now stands as a permanent part of the Navy Memorial Visitor’s Center in Washington, D.C. It is a true honor to incorporate Susan’s work into this tribute, helping to preserve the legacy of John and Bart for generations to come.