Memorial Day 2014- The Horse That Was a Marine

By: Brittany Bevis

Memorial Day is about so much more than backyard barbecues, pool parties, and trips to the lake. It’s a time when we pause to honor those brave men and women who provided the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. We remember those members of the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard who never made it home but died in the line of duty while protecting our way of life.

There is another branch of the military, that seldom receives recognition, but nonetheless continues to provide a valuable service for our country, military animals. Recently, a military horse named Staff Sergeant Reckless (1949-1968) was recognized for her exemplary service in the US Armed Forces by becoming a member of the Horse Stars Hall of Fame, a joint program between the EQUUS Foundation and the United States Equestrian Federation.

Staff Sergeant Reckless was a “Jeju” pony who became a member of the U.S. Marine Fifth Regiment during the Korean War. Because much of the combat of that time period was done in trench warfare style, soldiers used 75mm recoilless rifles. Although the weapons were very accurate, the only downside was that the shells weighed more than 20 pounds each. Lieutenant Eric Pedersen came up with a solution for carrying the heavy loads (Horse Stars Hall of Fame, 2014).

On his way to the South Korean capital of Seoul, Pedersen came across an old racetrack that was being used as an airstrip for the U.S. Army. For just $250, the three-year-old filly named “Flame” was purchased, and she became the newest private first class and was given the serial number of 1-H. Through a combination of patient training and basic survival instincts, this incredible horse would run into her bunker when she heard incoming fire, braved the battlefield, avoided flying shrapnel and land mines, and was wounded twice. As a result of her valiant efforts, she was promoted to corporal in 1953 and then to sergeant in 1954.

According to her HSHOF biography, a particularly difficult time came during a battle for Outpost Vegas in April of 1953.

“She made 51 trips to the recoilless rifles sites, in all traveling more than 35 miles. She carried 386 of the heavy shells, each weighing 20 to 23 pounds, depending on their content — a total of over 9,000 pounds of explosives. Then, descending the ridge to reload, she carried the wounded or dead on her back. It is acknowledged that because of what Reckless accomplished in battle, many Marines came home who might not have, otherwise. “

In 1954, Reckless returned home to the United States and remained on active duty for six more years before being promoted one last time to staff sergeant in 1959 and retired to a life of leisure. Today, a beautiful statue stands in her honor at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Virginia.

To read more about Staff Sergeant Reckless, click here.

Another military horse, Klinger, was honored alongside Reckless as a member of the Horse Stars Hall of Fame. The 14-year-old Morgan Percheron cross is a current member of the U.S. Army’s Third Infantry Regiment “The Old Guard’ Caisson Platoon. Klinger has a special connection to Memorial Day, because he has participated in more than 5,000 military funerals. He serves as a part of the team that pulls the caisson through Arlington National Cemetery.

Click here to read more about Klinger.

A special thank you goes to the EQUUS Foundation for allowing permission to utilize the archival images within the piece. If you’re interested in learning more about Staff Sergeant Reckless, author Janet Barrett has written a new full-length biography, They Called Her Reckless–A True Story of War, Love And One Extraordinary Horse. In addition, author Robin Hutton will be publishing a book in August of this year entitled, Sgt. Reckless:America’s War Horse. Her website can be viewed at www.SgtReckless.com.

 Have a wonderful and safe Memorial Day!