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Despite growing up in a military family, Greg Dunlap never imagined he’d follow the same path, let alone serve as a dog handler in the Vietnam War. (Courtesy photo: Greg Dunlap)
Greg Dunlap and his K-9 Blackie, who loved hearing their echoing bark. (Courtesy photo: Greg Dunlap)
Episode 3143 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about Air Force Vietnam Vet Greg Dunlap and his dog Blackie. The featured story is titled: ‘I saw the handwriting on the wall’: Drafted Vietnam War Vet reflects on bond with K-9. It appeared on the Portland Tribune website and was submitted by Hannah Seibold.
Siebold reported that Greg Dunlap’s story is a testament to the grit, humor, and resilience that define the Vietnam Veteran generation. Born into a military family, Dunlap grew up moving from Guam to the Philippines before settling in Santa Barbara. Though he never envisioned a military career, the Vietnam War made that choice for him when he was drafted into the Air Force just shy of his 20th birthday. Thanks to his hunting experience, he was placed in the military police and assigned as a dog handler—a dangerous but deeply meaningful role.
Working twelve-hour nights with only his K-9 partner, Blackie, Dunlap found an unbreakable bond that carried him through the harshness of war. Blackie’s playful spirit—flipping buckets to bark into them or proudly carrying Dunlap’s steel helmet—provided both comfort and companionship amid the chaos. When Dunlap’s service ended, he returned home to a nation divided, facing the painful reality of ridicule rather than gratitude.
Despite the difficult transition, Dunlap embodied the strength and perseverance of his generation. He built a stable life after the war, working for decades in postal service, sales, and winery equipment before retiring near his family. His story underscores the quiet greatness of Vietnam Veterans—men and women who faced a hostile world at home but met it with courage, humility, and unwavering dedication to duty and country.
Listen to Episode 3143 and discover more about Air Force Vietnam Vet Greg Dunlap and his dog Blackie.
