8. The Navy cat 

Born in 1947, in Hong Kong, Simon was taken aboard on the HMS Amethyst. His job? To keep under control the rat situation on the ship.

However the ship was attacked by the communists on the Yangtze River and the cat had gone missing for a few days while having shrapnel injuries and facial burns.

The doctor took care of him and when he finally recovered he resumed his duties and visited the wounded soldiers to cheer them up.

When he arrived back at Hong Kong he received a Dickin Medal and a campaign ribbon. Unfortunately, he soon passed away after developing a serious infection.

He received full naval honors.