Reckless: Pride of the Marines
Andrew Geer
Paperback
(Independently published, June 16, 2017)
‘America’s greatest equine war hero’ – New York Times Reckless was a remarkable war-hero. Born and raised in Korea, Reckless was flame-red, bred from a prize-winning race-horse, and discovered by American soldiers during the Korean War. The battalion of US Marines Reckless was assigned to fell in love with her at once, feeding her Coca Cola and beer as she became one of the guys. Not only did she boost morale, but she saved lives as well, and she was posthumously awarded the Dicken Medal for her bravery during active service. Sergeant Reckless, as she is now known, was a truly remarkable animal. One of Reckless’ finest hours came during the Battle of Outpost Vegas in March of 1953. On one day alone during the five-day battle, she made 51 trips from the Ammunition Supply Point to the firing sites. She carried 386 rounds of ammunition, walked over 35 miles through open rice paddies and up steep mountains with enemy fire coming in close to her hooves. She also carried wounded soldiers down the mountain to safety and unloaded them before she reloaded with ammunition and headed off back to battle. Sergeant Reckless retired from the Marine Corps on 10 November 1960 and died (aged 20) on 13 May 1968. She was buried with full military honors at her adopted home of Camp Pendleton, California. ‘A stalwart, sentimental appeal, for the unreconstructed horse lover old and young’ — Kirkus Review ‘In my career I have seen many animals that have been adopted by Marines, but never in all my experience have I seen one which won the hearts of so many as did this lovely little lady known as Reckless.’ — Randolph M. Pate, Lieutenant General, USMC, Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, Washington, D. C Andrew Geer (1905-1957) wrote The Sea Chase, Canton Airlift and Canton Barrier, as well as Reckless: Pride of the Marines, which was first published in 1955.