| CHIPS | This U.S. Army-trained sentry dog served in the 3rd Infantry Division and was the most decorated dog in World War II. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, and Purple Heart. |
| RNLI | Henry Blogg from Cromer was the most decorated man in ... history (1.1.1.1.) |
| GODSPELL | Dog served up supper? LOL, oddly entertaining show! (8) |
| OLD | Identify the surname of this English pace bowler who opened the bowling in the one-off England's Centenary Test at Lord's in 1980 and was the highest wicket-taker, with three wickets in each innings. |
| RAGS | A mixed breed terrier who became the U.S. 1st Infantry Division's dog-mascot in World War I. |
| IRONS | Actor who starred in films including The Mission and Red Sparrow and was the voice of Scar in The Lion King (5) |
| OLLIE | Bowler who took 9-78 for Sussex against Glamorgan in Cardiff in the 2021 County Championship and 5-49 for England against South Africa in the 3rd Test at The Oval in 2022 (5) |
| ROBINSON | Bowler who took 9-78 for Sussex against Glamorgan in Cardiff in the 2021 County Championship and 5-49 for England against South Africa in the 3rd Test at The Oval in 2022 (8) |
| DISUNION | State of division, and what the first letters of the states divided across black squares in this puzzle spell out |
| JAMESHAYTER | Actor who played Samuel Pickwick in the 1952 film The Pickwick Papers and was the original narrator of the TV adverts for Mr Kipling cakes (5,6) |
| EDDERY | 11-times champion jockey who won 14 British classics and was the co-holder of the record for most wins in the Prix del'Arc de Triomphe (6) |
| SIMONEBILES | She won her 25th world medal in October 2019 making her the most-decorated gymnast (woman or man) in history: 2 wds. |
| PHELPS | This swimmer is the most decorated athlete in Olympic history with 28 medals, including a record 23 gold medals |
| MARCELO | Brazilian left-back who is the most decorated player in the history of Real Madrid |
| WARD | City division, and the second step in this puzzle's ladder |
| HORDERN | Actor who narrated the television series Paddington and was the voice of Badger in the 1980s film ve |
| ADAMEVE | According to the bible, ... was the first man and ... was the first woman (4, 3) |
| GDP | Econ. yardstick that, in the U.S., grew by 2.0% in the 3rd Quarter of 2011 |
| LAURA | Brigadier General Yeager (first woman to command a U.S. Army infantry division) |
| CAVALRYMAN | Lancer in line army trained in part of Ireland |
