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King Neptune, a pig born during WWII, was given to Navy recruiter Don C. Lingle to feed guests at a benefit dinner. Lingle saw something special in the pig and made him a mascot for the Navy, raising $19 million for the war effort. After the war, King Neptune lived on a farm and was given a Navy funeral. Pigs are smart, fast, social animals that love to cuddle and sleep face to face.
In America, even dwarves can become war heroes. One shining example began life on a farm near West Frankfort, Illinois, where 12, 1942 piglets were born on May 12, 16. The youngest of the litter was named Parker Neptune, and was given to Navy recruiter Don C. Lingle to feed guests at a benefit dinner. After all, pork was rationed during WWII.
But Lingle saw something special in the young pig, and instead of cutting him up, the recruiter renamed him King Neptune and made him a mascot of the Navy to help the war effort. The pig was even adorned in red, white and blue to bring out his patriotism.
King Neptune’s heroic rise came quickly, starting with a fundraiser in Marion, Illinois for the troubled battleship USS Illinois. The people pledged a total of $11,200 in war bonds for parts of the hog they would never actually claim. More fundraisers and more fame followed as the king traveled throughout the state, drawing huge crowds and garnering large bids, though no bidder ever claimed him. By the end of his reign, King Neptune had raised $19 million for the Navy, or the equivalent of about $250 million today.
After the war, King Neptune – who had grown to about 700 pounds (317 kg) – went to live on an Illinois farm, where he died in 1950 at the age of 8. He was given a Navy funeral and accorded full military honors. Today, a brass memorial plaque honoring King Neptune can be seen at the Trail of Tears Tourist Information Center off Interstate 57.
What you may not know about pigs:
Despite unflattering stereotypes, pigs are smart and fast. They are considered intellectually superior to dogs and even some primates and can run at speeds of 11 mph (17.7 km/h).
Pigs are often seen wallowing in the mud to cool off; they have almost no sweat glands.
Pigs are very social, love to cuddle and prefer to sleep face to face with each other.
