Sergeant Reckless, An American Hero



Her most significant accomplishment came during the Battle of Panmunjom-Vegas (also known as the Battle of Outpost Vegas/Vegas Hill) over the period March 26-28, 1953, when she made 51 solo trips in a single day, carrying a total of 386 recoilless rounds (over 9,000 pounds, carrying 4 to 8 24-pound shells on each trip) covering over 35 miles that day. The whole Battle of Vegas lasted 3 days. She was wounded twice during the battle: once when she was hit by shrapnel over the left eye and another time on her left flank. For her accomplishments during the Battle of Vegas Hill, Reckless was promoted to corporal, she would also receive a purple heart for her injury.



Reckless developed arthritis in her back as she aged and injured herself on May 13, 1968, by falling into a barbed wire fence. She died under sedation while her wounds were being treated. At the time of her death, she was estimated to be 19 or 20 years old. There is a plaque and photo commemorating her at the Camp Pendleton stables. The first race at Aqueduct racetrack, New York, was designated "The Sgt Reckless" on November 10, 1989. In 1997, Reckless was listed by LIFE magazine as one of America`s 100 all-time heroes.

A memorial to Sergeant Reckless at Camp Pendleton was dedicated on October 26, 2016. The monument was created by Jocelyn Russell. It is similar to the one located at the National Museum of the Marine Corps.
A memorial to Sergeant Reckless at Yeoncheon Gorangpogu History Park (Near Battlefield of Outpost Vegas Battle) was dedicated in 2018.






During her time in Korea, her main duties were carrying supplies and ammunition to those fighting on the front, as well as sometimes being used to transport the wounded back to camp. What made her so spectacular over other horses was the fact that she was able to learn routes after just going on them a couple of times, meaning she could do supply and ammunition runs entirely on her own, freeing up the time and abilities of more soldiers. This alone is amazing, but Reckless did more than that.
In March 1953, during the Battle For Outpost Vegas, she made an incredible 51 solo trips to supply units on the front lines, and was wounded twice. Because of this bravery and resilience, she was ranked corporal later that year and promoted to sergeant the next year.

This officially makes her the most decorated war horse of all time and her bravery made a true difference in the war and to her unit and for that America will always be grateful. Sergeant Reckless was brought to the United States after the war for her retirement, where she lived out the rest of her days at the Marine Corps Base of Camp Pendleton in California. This single horse’s bravery will never be forgotten.
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