Join me as I salute Sergeant Reckless …
Reckless with her main caretaker, US Marine Sergeant Joseph Latham. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia; USMC photographer
“Reckless” is not the nickname of the fellow in the photo.
In fact, Reckless was not a fellow at all.
She was a pack horse who served in the Korean War, carrying rifles, ammunition, and supplies to Marines.
Sergeant Reckless, a highly decorated US Marine Corps artillery horse in the Korean War, pictured with a 75mm recoilless rifle. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia; Geer, Andrew Clare. Reckless, pride of the Marines, 1955, page 120
Of course, she wasn’t the only horse who helped during the war, but Reckless was special.
Consider, for instance, the Battle of Outpost Vegas in March of 1953 …
Reckless delivered ammo to the recoilless rifle platoon’s firing sites. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons; USMC photographer
In one grueling day of the brutal battle, Reckless made 51 trips from the ammunition supply point to the firing sites. She hauled almost five tons of equipment and carried numerous wounded soldiers over 35 miles, through open rice paddies and up steep mountains that were riddled with enemy fire.
And she made nearly every trip by herself.
“Going up the ridge, in and out of view, was this little mare,” recalled retired Marine Sgt. Harold Wadley, who witnessed the horse’s heroism. “I tell you, her silhouette in all the smoke—I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. I thought, ‘Good grief. It’s Reckless!'”
Winnie Nielsen 
Annie MacSuibhne 
Terry Fest 
Debbie Grounds 
How extraordinary! And how wonderful a story this is. Thanks MaryJane.
This mare was a true patriot in every sense of the word! Thank-you for sharing this wonderful story.
Sitting in New York!! US Airways had plane issues that cost us being able to make our over seas flight !! Trying to get there today if we can work it out. What an exhausting day and we are missing all the start of the tour and fun!
I always try to think, “Maybe there’s a reason.” Delayed flights are the norm these days. When I travel and none of my flights are delayed and my baggage arrives, it’s a GOOD day. Maybe find a book store???:)
I love true stories of how our animals save lives through their undying loyalty to man and woman. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if humans could be so loyal to all? Wow, the love that would flow.
Thanks MaryJane
Kay
Kay,
Remember the teachers of Sandy Hook Elementary who shielded other people’s children from bullets with their own bodies and lives. Remember the Oklahoma teachers who threw their bodies over their students to shield them from a terrible tornado. Remember. Some humans are so loyal to all. Some of these folks live in your own town. Remember.
Reckless the mare was positively the best definition of hero in every sense of the word I have ever read. I wept when I read about her and looked at the video.