Sergeant Reckless is America's greatest warhorse. During the Korean War, Reckless carried ammunition to the front lines and helped rescue wounded soldiers. She's pictured here at Camp Pendleton in 1957.
Sergeant Reckless is America's greatest warhorse. During the Korean War, Reckless carried ammunition to the front lines and helped rescue wounded soldiers. She's pictured here at Camp Pendleton in 1957.
USMC Archives
Reckless, pictured here in 1953, carried ammunition for a recoilless rifle. The weapon was dubbed "reckless" for how dangerous it was to use, hence the horse got her name.
Reckless, pictured here in 1953, carried ammunition for a recoilless rifle. The weapon was dubbed "reckless" for how dangerous it was to use, hence the horse got her name.
usmc archives
She was bought by a lieutenant for $250 at Seoul racetrack in 1952. She was originally bred as a racehorse.
She was bought by a lieutenant for $250 at Seoul racetrack in 1952. She was originally bred as a racehorse.
usmc archives
During this five-day Battle of Outpost Vegas in March 1953, which is estimated to have cost the lives of 1,000 American and 2,000 Chinese soldiers, Reckless made 51 trips to resupply the guns with ammunition on one day alone.
During this five-day Battle of Outpost Vegas in March 1953, which is estimated to have cost the lives of 1,000 American and 2,000 Chinese soldiers, Reckless made 51 trips to resupply the guns with ammunition on one day alone.
usmc archives
Pictured here in November 1954, it's a far cry from the battle field. During the Battle of Outpost Vegas, Reckless is said to have carried 386 rounds of ammunition -- weighing almost 4,000 kilograms -- by walking more than 35 miles through rice paddies and steep mountain trails.
Pictured here in November 1954, it's a far cry from the battle field. During the Battle of Outpost Vegas, Reckless is said to have carried 386 rounds of ammunition -- weighing almost 4,000 kilograms -- by walking more than 35 miles through rice paddies and steep mountain trails.
usmc archives
Reckless formed a deep bond with the soldiers. "Reckless was a very special horse and undoubtedly bonded through a spiritual connection of love with her Marines," said Sgt. Harold E. Wadley, who served with Reckless.
Reckless formed a deep bond with the soldiers. "Reckless was a very special horse and undoubtedly bonded through a spiritual connection of love with her Marines," said Sgt. Harold E. Wadley, who served with Reckless.
usmc archives
Reckless, who would sleep in the soldiers' tents at night, also endeared herself to her fellow Marines in a different way. "Reckless had a voracious appetite," Robin Hutton, president of the Sgt. Reckless Memorial Fund and author of a book about the horse, wrote on a website dedicated to her. "She would eat anything and everything -- but especially scrambled eggs and pancakes in the morning with her morning cup of coffee."
Reckless, who would sleep in the soldiers' tents at night, also endeared herself to her fellow Marines in a different way. "Reckless had a voracious appetite," Robin Hutton, president of the Sgt. Reckless Memorial Fund and author of a book about the horse, wrote on a website dedicated to her. "She would eat anything and everything -- but especially scrambled eggs and pancakes in the morning with her morning cup of coffee."
usmc archives
Having twice been promoted to staff sergeant, Reckless would spend the rest of her life at Camp Pendleton in California, where she gave birth to one filly and three colts.
Having twice been promoted to staff sergeant, Reckless would spend the rest of her life at Camp Pendleton in California, where she gave birth to one filly and three colts.
usmc archives