The marine corps color guard will open the event, which kicks off with flag raising and singing of the national anthem by a marine. If you want to read a wonderful, book about a true war hero then ive got one for you. Reckless, who served courageously with the marine corps during the. Reckless was bought by members of the united states marine corps and trained to be a pack horse for the recoilless rifle platoon, antitank company, 5th marine regiment, 1st marine divis. Kevin killea, commanding general, marine corps installations west marine corps base camp pendleton, as well as many marines who served in the. Much more than that, reckless became a war heroin fact, she became a combat marine, earning staff sergeants stripes before her retirement to camp pendleton. Aug 29, 2018 the fourlegged marine who became a korean war hero. Pate personally presided over the ceremony, and reckless was honored with a 19gun salute and a 1,700man parade of marines from her wartime unit. This once famous horse, recognized as late as 1997 by life magazine as one of americas greatest heroesthe greatest war horse in american history, in facthas unfortunately now been largely forgotten. Bassett couldnt believe he was hearing this story for the first time.
Reckless includes interviews with the marines who fought alongside her, revealing, at last, the complete and captivating tale of how a wouldbe korean racehorse became one of the greatest marine wartime heroes of all time. Jan 03, 2012 camp pendleton one of the greatest animal stories in american military history is that of the reallife warhorse, staff sgt. Reckless preparing to go to marine corps base camp pendleton, california after serving in the korean war with. Having interviewed over 75 people that served with reckless in korea and camp pendleton, the. From the racetrack to the battlefielddauntless, fearless, and exemplar of semper fi she was reckless, pride of the marines. Like many others who served in the korean war, staff sergeant reckless, one of the relatively few females serving in. She isnt any old sergeant, she is a horse and she was amazing. The fourlegged marine who became a korean war hero. For robin hutton, a camarillobased writer who uncovered the horses story and in 2014 wrote a book, sgt. A hero horse, a forgotten war, both revisited the san.
Reckless prepares to go to marine corps base camp pendleton after serving in the korean war with the 5th marine regiment. Camp pendleton unveils staff sgt reckless monument dvids. Much more than that, reckless became a war heroin fact, she became a combat marine, earning staff sergeant s stripes before her retirement to camp pendleton. Reckless memorial monument at the national museum of the marine corps, completed in july 20, and now spurring the creation of a second memorial at camp pendleton, california, where reckless lived out the rest of her days. Marine corps, and is listed alongside george washington, thomas jeff camp pendleton horse names dog names morgan horse staff sergeant korean war usmc marines beautiful horses. Sergeant reckless, a horse that held official rank in the united states military, was a mare of mongolian horse breeding. This is the complete and captivating account of how a wouldbe korean racehorse became one of the greatest marine corps wartime heroes. Reckless, a small chestnut mongolian horse who served with camp pendletons 5th marine regiment, has long been a mission for robin hutton. She was awarded two purple hearts and her bravery inspired books. General pate promoted reckless to staff sergeant on august 31, 1959 and she was retired with full military honors on november 10, 1960. Reckless, a mongolian mare who won two purple hearts and earned the rank of staff sergeant for carrying ammunition in battle. For a schedule of book signings for robin huttons book on sgt reckless, click here.
At her final promotion to staff sergeant reckless in 1959, general pate, now commandant of the marine corps, again did the honors as three thousand marines and guests watched. She was awarded two purple hearts and her bravery inspired books and artwork. Pride of the marines 1955 were written by the commander of the 2nd. Americas war horse, robin hutton has masterfully crafted the definitive story of reckless, the great little korean mare who so boldly served alongside marines of the recoilless rifle platoon, 5th marine regiment, in the korean war carrying ammunition under enemy fire. Sergeant reckless comes complete with her blanket decorated with her awards and 6 new collectible trading cards. Reckless honored, remembered at triple crown race marine corps district news article display robin hutton, founder of the sgt. Statue of korean war horse reckless to be unveiled at. Statue of korean war horse reckless to be unveiled at marine. Sgt reckless, korean war hero horse, pride of the marines, horse, war horse, marine mascot, korean war, us marines, camp pendleton, outpost vegas, ammunitions, recoilless rifle, 5th marines, beer, life magazine, saturday evening post, hero, george washington, john wayne, thomas jefferson, mother teresa, martin luther king, korean war horse. Reckless was purchased to help move supplies and ammunition to firing points in the rough terrain of the peninsula during combat operations. It fills in all of the gaps from previous books about this marvelous, courageous little redhaired mongolian mare. Remembering a beloved horse and decorated marine the new.
Reckless was a horse that participated in some of the fiercest fighting in the korean war. Reckless, heroic warhorse, had ties to north county. Camp pendleton one of the greatest animal stories in american military history is that of the reallife warhorse, staff sgt. Americas war horse and was regaling the assembled marines with stories about the horses adventures and exploits. The true story of the little horse who became a hero, and the young readers edition of i am malala. Aug 08, 2010 go to story of sgt reckless, a horse so heroic during the korean war she was promoted to staff sergeant by the commandant of the us marine corps, and is listed alongside. Camp pendleton hosts a ceremony unveiling a statue dedicated to staff sgt.
The story goes that a marine purchasing officer bought the horse from a korean boy who needed money to buy his sister an artificial leg, according to a 1955 book, reckless. Reckless pride of the corps page 2 of 2 western horseman. Reckless memorial fund and the major fundraiser behind the semper fidelis memorial parks new statue of korean war hero staff sgt. Sgt reckless americas greatest war horse she wasnt a horse she was a marine. She remained at camp pendleton and was provided with mess and quarters in lieu of retirement pay. Reckless is scheduled to be dedicated to the famous korean war pack horse during a. She was promoted to staff sergeant in the marine corps for her incredible accomplishments and for her devotion.
Cnn takes a closer look at the life of sergeant reckless, a small racehorse with an appetite for beer and coffee who would become americas greatest. Amid an inferno of explosives on a deadly minefield in the korean war, a fourlegged marine proved to be a heroic force of nature. Memorial dedication for marine pack horse, staff sgt. Americas war horse is a beautiful story about an amazing horse and the meaning of the marine corps motto, semper fi. Marine, staff sergeant reckless was a hero in the korean war. Robin hutton had authored a book about sergeant reckless titled sgt. Story of sgt reckless, a horse so heroic during the korean war she was promoted to staff sergeant by the commandant of the us marine. This brave horse repeatedly carried ammunition up steep mountain trails and returned with wounded troops.
Reckless was awarded two purple hearts for her valor and was promoted to staff sergeant twice, a distinction never bestowed upon an animal before or since. Camp pendleton unveils staff sgt reckless monument. Reckless, americas war horse, views the horses military prowess from the perspective of her subject. But during the 195053 korean war, one mare would run towards it. Cnn takes a closer look at the life of sergeant reckless, a small. The story of reckless is not only remarkable it is unusual. Author robin hutton has reignited excitement about this nearly forgotten legend, realizing the sgt. Reckless and wrote articles about her for the saturday evening post in.
Reckless joined the marines to carry ammunition to the front lines for the 75mm recoilless rifle platoon of the 5th marines and she quickly earned the love and respect of all of the marines that served with her. And once you learn about her, you will see why the marine corps not only fell in love with her but honored her and promoted her every chance they got. Reckless, will be unveiled friday at the marine corps museum in quantico, va. Reckless had a unique personality that attracted the marines to her and she bonded with each member of her unit 75 mm recoilless rifle platoon of the 5th marines, first marine division.
Reckless book gift set includes sergeant reckless model and sgt reckless, americas war horse by robin hutton, a new york times bestseller and the only complete biography of sgt reckless and her three colts fearless, dauntless and chesty. A few dozen whitehaired marine survivors of korea gathered at camp pendleton this week to honor their comrade in arms. Reckless preparing to go to marine corps base camp pendleton, california after serving in. It reminds me of sergeant stubby book by hosea who is getting a movie in 2018 to commemorate 100 year of world war i. Gift set includes sergeant reckless model and sgt reckless, americas war horse by robin hutton, a new york times bestseller and the only complete biography of sgt reckless and her three colts fearless, dauntless and chesty. Reckless was bought by members of the united states marine corps and trained to be a pack horse for. Reckless would eventually attain the rank of staff sergeant in the u. This once famous horse, recognized as late as 1997 by life magazine as one of americas great heroesthe greatest war horse in american history, in facthas unfortunately now been. Reckless deeds won the respect and admiration of the marine corps, and many, many others. Heroic korean war horse honored by marines with bronze statue. Reckless was bought by members of the united states marine corps and trained to be a pack horse for the.
Meyers became close with the horse both on the battlefield, where he was a gunner, and in the mess tent, where he often worked as a cook with the fifth marine regiment antitank company. Randolph mcc pate the commandant of the entire marine corps. Reckless was injured in 1968 and had to be put to sleep on may, 1968, at the estimated age of 19 or 20. Reckless wasnt just a horse, she was a marine who served in korean war. Americas war horse paperback autographed our price. An uphill battle ssgt reckless bronze maquette fully loaded our price.
Del mar race track puts on race honoring heroic war horse sgt. The author interviewed hundreds of marines and other people whose lives were touched by reckless and incorporated the wonderful stories into this book. She bonded with them and would do anything for them. Sgt reckless americas war horse by robin hutton is a true gem. Author robin hutton has reignited excitement about this legend, realizing the sgt. May 15, 2018 cnn takes a closer look at the life of sergeant reckless, a small racehorse with an appetite for beer and coffee who would become americas greatest war horse during the korean war. Bronze memorials honoring this heroic mare can be found at the kentucky horse park, camp pendleton, and the national museum of the marine corps. The story of sgt reckless, a horse so heroic during the korean war she was promoted to staff sergeant by the commandant of the u. Reckless, the famous korean war pack horse, at the pacific views event center, oct.
Amos, commandant of the marine corps, and jocelyn russell, the artist who created the statue, stand at attention during the statues, unveiling ceremony at the national museum. Reckless includes over 5 pictures of reckless and her three colts, including interviews with the marines who fought alongside her, revealing, at last, the complete and captivating tale of how a wouldbe korean racehorse became one of the greatest marine wartime heroes of all time. Marine corps camp pendleton hosts a ceremony in honor of staff sgt. Reckless was a korean war era pack horse known for her heroics in the war that saved many marines lives. The following year, reckless was formally retired to a life of leisure, in her own quarters at the base stables. Sergeant reckless served the 1st division of the u. Jul 25, 20 a 10foot bronze statue of the courageous and insatiable horse, staff sgt.
Reckless monument at the national museum of the marine corps, and now overseeing the creation of a second memorial at camp pendleton, california. A 10foot bronze statue of the courageous and insatiable horse, staff sgt. Go to story of sgt reckless, a horse so heroic during the korean war she was promoted to staff sergeant by the commandant of the us marine. And it wasnt just the marines that served with her in the trenches that honored her her last promotion to staff sergeant was by gen. Explore our editors picks for the best kids books of the month. Nov 09, 2012 the story goes that a marine purchasing officer bought the horse from a korean boy who needed money to buy his sister an artificial leg, according to a 1955 book, reckless. She shared the mens trenches, bunkers and tents, often sleeping by their stoves. Reckless brings the legend back to life more than half a century later. She was named reckless by the marines fighting in the korean war. Reckless was promoted again, to staff sergeant e6, on august 31, 1959, at camp pendleton, california.
Sergeant reckless was the only animal ever awarded an official rank in the marine corps. Reckless monument at the national museum of the marine corps, and now overseeing the creation of a second. In 1955 reckless adventures and life story were published in reckless, pride of the marines, a book written by former marine andrew geer, another of the leathernecks who knew the little red mare in korea. The true story of the little horse who became a hero, and the young readers edition of. She might not have been much to look ata small mongolian mare, they called herbut she came from racing stock, and had the blood of a champion. Reckless new york times bestseller she wasnt a horseshe was a marine. This promotion was also awarded by pate, then the commandant of the marine corps. Heroic korean war horse honored by marines with bronze. Andrew geer, a marine commander who served with sgt. Patricia mccormick is a former journalist and a twotime national book award finalist whose books include cut, sold, never fall down, the plot to kill hitler, sergeant reckless. Camp pendleton unveils staff sgt reckless monument u. The fourlegged marine who became a korean war hero history.
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