RED DOG. The code name used by mercenary David Taputapu, born in Pago Pago, Samoa. Red Dog may have had a pro football career as a barefoot placekicker if a defensive lineman hadn't ground his cleat into his exposed toe. Red Dog's violent reaction gave the opposing player a concussion and a broken helmet, and got Red Dog suspended for excessive roughness. He worked as a movie stuntman before working as a mercenary with a group known as "Renegades," working with the G.I. Joe team on occasion. Today, like many Joes, he is a reserve member of the team. Red Dog was stationed in Sudan during the conflict known as World War III.