A bronze statue was dedicated to Staff Sergeant Reckless, one of history’s most celebrated Marines, on Wednesday during a ceremony at the Pacific Views Event Center at Camp Pendleton, California.
Reckless was a small horse with a giant heart for service — the only animal in history to hold an official rank in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Reckless made her way alone across rice paddies in clear view of the enemy and up steep 45-degree mountain trails.
The small Mongolian horse served alongside some of America’s finest during the Korean War. “She’s not a horse, she’s a Marine,” one veteran told Fox News of Reckless after the ceremony.
“I can vouch for the bravery of a horse,” Chris Roberts, a horse owner in Saugus, Massachusetts, told LifeZette. “They are capable of such feeling and intuition — and they are very, very smart.”
Reckless was purchased in 1952 during the Korean War to carry ammunition to the front lines for the 75mm Recoilless Rifle Platoon of the 5th Marines. Lt. Eric Pedersen paid $250 to a young Korean boy for Reckless at a racetrack in Seoul during the war, and he trained the small equine — she was just 13.1 hands — to navigate supply routes by herself and to evade enemy fire.
One of Reckless’ finest hours came during the Battle of Outpost Vegas in March of 1953. “The savagery of the battle for the so-called Nevada Complex has never been equaled in Marine Corps history,” noted www.SgtReckless.com.
Reckless, ever steady, was in the middle of it all.
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The little sorrel horse made her way alone across rice paddies in clear view of the enemy and up steep 45-degree mountain trails that led to the Marines’ firing sites.
“It’s difficult to describe the elation and the boost in morale that little white-faced mare gave Marines as she outfoxed the enemy bringing vitally needed ammunition up the mountain,” Sgt. Maj. James E. Bobbitt recalled, according to the same site.
During one day of the five-day battle, Reckless made 51 trips from the ammunition supply point to the firing sites, many times all alone, as she had been trained to do. She carried 386 rounds of ammunition (over 9,000 pounds) and walked over 35 miles with enemy fire coming in at the rate of 500 rounds per minute.
“And as she so often did, she would carry wounded soldiers down the mountain to safety, unload them, get reloaded with ammo, and off she would go back up to the guns,” noted SgtReckless.com.
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Reckless also provided a shield for several Marines who were trapped and trying to make their way to the front line. Wounded twice, once above the eye and once in the ribs, the mare didn’t let that slow her down.
Her fellow Marines adored the small mare with the big heart, and spoiled her with special treats like pancakes and beer, which she loved. They reportedly took care of her better than they took care of themselves — throwing their flak jackets over her to protect her when incoming was heavy.
After serving in Korea, Reckless was awarded two Purple Hearts, a Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, a Presidential Unit Citation with bronze star, the National Defense Service Medal, a Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Korea Medal, a Navy Unit Commendation, a Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation and — posthumously — the Dickin Medal.
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Reckless’ last promotion to Staff Sergeant was by Gen. Randolph McPate, the commandant of the entire Marine Corps.
Reckless retired in 1960 to a life of leisure, and went on to produce three foals. She passed away in 1968 and was buried with full military honors.
Brig. Gen. Kevin Killea, Commanding General of Marine Corps Installations West — Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, was joined at the ceremony on Monday by Korean War veterans who served with Staff Sgt. Reckless. The Marine Corps Mounted Color Guard was also present at the dedicating of the statue.
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