King Neptune (pig) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Parker Neptune
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Memorial dedicated to the king at a rest stop near Anna, Illinois
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| Nickname(s) | King Neptune |
| Born | May 16, 1942 West Frankfort, Illinois |
| Died | 14 May 1950 (aged 7) Anna, Illinois |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/ |
United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1942–1946 |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
King Neptune (born May 16, 1942 – died May 14, 1950) was a special pig who helped the United States Navy during World War II. He was used by a Navy recruiter to raise a huge amount of money, about $19 million, by selling war bonds. This money helped build a large warship called the Illinois. King Neptune was a true hero who helped his country!
Contents
The Early Life of King Neptune
King Neptune was born on May 16, 1942, on a farm near West Frankfort, Illinois. He was one of 12 piglets born in his litter. His original name was Parker Neptune, named after his father, Parker Sensation.
A girl named Patty raised him as part of her 4-H project. 4-H is a program where young people learn about farming and other skills. On December 5, 1942, King Neptune was given away. He was first meant for a fundraising dinner. But a local Navy recruiter had a much bigger idea for him!
What Kind of Pig Was King Neptune?
King Neptune was a special type of pig called a Hereford swine. This breed of pig is mostly red. They have a white face, white ears, and at least two white feet. They look a bit like the Hereford breed of cattle.
King Neptune's Amazing Fundraising Journey
A Navy recruiter named Don C. Lingle had a brilliant plan. He decided to auction King Neptune to raise money. An auction is where something is sold to the person who offers the most money. In this case, people offered to buy "war bonds." War bonds were like loans people gave to the government to help pay for the war.
Lingle and an auctioneer named L. Oard Sitter traveled all over southern Illinois. They would auction King Neptune to raise money for the battleship Illinois. This ship was being built at the time.
How King Neptune Raised Money
- They would auction off different parts of the pig.
- Sometimes, even his squeal was "sold" for $25!
- After each auction, King Neptune would be returned. This way, he could be auctioned again later.
- People loved King Neptune so much that they wanted him to appear everywhere. So, he traveled all over Illinois to raise more funds.
King Neptune often wore a blue Navy blanket and a crown. He also had silver earrings. He looked very important!
A Governor's Purchase
On March 6, 1943, the Governor of Illinois, Dwight H. Green, bought King Neptune. He paid $1 million for the pig on behalf of the state of Illinois. At the same auction, one of King Neptune's bristles (a stiff hair) was sold for $500!
A Pig's Paycheck
In 1945, someone even wrote a check to King Neptune for his care! The bank asked the recruiter, Lingle, to get the pig's "signature" to cash the check. This shows how famous King Neptune was. Because of his great work, Don C. Lingle was promoted to Chief Petty Officer. This is a high rank in the Navy.
Many of King Neptune's appearances were sponsored by local clubs like the Elks clubs. King Neptune even became a lifetime member of several of these clubs.
In total, King Neptune, Lingle, and Sitter helped raise an amazing $19 million in war bonds. This money was a huge help to the war effort!
King Neptune's Retirement and Legacy
After the war ended in 1946, King Neptune was supposed to go to the Chicago Stockyards. But Don Lingle, the recruiter, got King Neptune back. He placed the pig on a local farm. King Neptune lived out the rest of his life there, enjoying his retirement.
King Neptune's Final Resting Place
King Neptune died from pneumonia on May 14, 1950. He was living on Ernest Goddard's farm near Anna, Illinois. He passed away just two days before his 8th birthday.
He was buried with military honors. His grave was about six miles (10 km) east of Anna, near Illinois route 146. This spot became known as King Neptune Park.
Moving the Memorial
In 1958, a new highway, Interstate 57, was being built. This meant King Neptune's grave had to be moved temporarily. In 1963, a new permanent spot was chosen. It was less than a mile east of the I-57 / IL-146 interchange.
Later, in the late 1980s, the first monument was damaged. So, the state of Illinois placed a second monument. This new memorial is at a rest area on northbound I-57. It helps people remember King Neptune's amazing contributions.
His first tombstone had a small mistake. It said he was born in 1941. But the new monument correctly shows his birth year as 1942.
Other Animal Heroes
King Neptune wasn't the only animal who helped raise money during the war. In Oklahoma, a shorthorn steer and a Hereford bull named "General Grant" also helped. They each raised about two million dollars in war bonds. These animals were true patriots!
