Happy Memorial Day! Today we recognize our fallen heroes. Many great men and women have died while serving in the country’s armed forces. Animals have served as well. While many of them perished in battle many survived. Sergeant Reckless is one of the greatest of America’s War Horses.
Sergeant Reckless became a Marine on October 26, 1952 when she was about 3 to 4 years old. She was a Korean horse, a Jeju pony. Her original translated name was Flame of the Morning and she was sold to Lieutenant Eric Pedersen. Sergeant Reckless hauled ammunition in the Korean War. During the Battle for Outpost Vegas she was wounded while carrying more than 9,000 pounds of supplies, ammunition and soldiers. While injured she worked for 3 days. One day alone she made 51 trips, a distance of 35miles while carrying the explosives. Each shell she carried weighed over 20 pounds and she toted as many as 9 at a time.
Sergeant Reckless began her career as a private. She was twice promoted first to corporal then to staff sergeant. She was injured twice during her active duty and received two Purple Hearts. She was well decorated. After the war she moved to America and stayed at Camp Pendleton. She gave birth to 4 foals before injuring herself on a fence and passing away during a medical procedure at about age 20.
There are memorials for Sergeant Reckless at the National Museum of the Marine Corps and at Camp Pendleton. Each was sculpted by Jocelyn Russell. Currently the Kentucky Horse Park is accepting donations to have a large sculpture placed at their National Museum of the Horse.
Make time today to honor the great people who sacrificed their lives for our country. It is a nice day to visit a cemetery and reflect on the brave soldiers that gave all. If visiting the National Museum of the Marine Corps or Camp Pendleton, check out the monuments to Sergeant Reckless.
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