Yes, you read that correctly.

Wojtek (1942-1963), pronounced “VOY-tek“, was a brown bear who served in the Polish Land Forces. He was adopted in 1942 by the newly formed Anders’ Army, which left the USSR for Iran. While journeying to Tehran, some soldiers found an Iranian boy who had a pet cub. Pretty soon, the Polish Land Forces adopted him, and he was part of the 22nd Artillery Supply Company, and was hence named Wojtek.

At first, he had trouble swallowing and had to be fed condensed milk. Among the foods he was given were honey, marmalade, fruits, syrup, and he was awarded with, of all things, beer and cigarettes. He drank coffee in the mornings, loved to wrestle with the soldiers, and learned how to salute, slowly turning this animal into a human. He even learned how to march on his hind legs!

Soon, he was drafted as a private. He lived with other soldiers in tents. At a battle, he helped carry artillery shells. He was so strong, he could carry a box that used to require four men to carry! He then became a celebrity among the Allied forces and was promoted to corporal.

After the war, he lived with the rest of the 22nd Artillery Supply Company in the UK, but then was transported to the Edinburgh Zoo. But at the age of 21, he died, probably from a cigarette overdose.

Thus ends the story of Wojtek, a bear who proved that even animals can drink, smoke, live fast, die young, and have a good-looking corpse (okay, maybe not those last three).