Sergeant Reckless

Have you ever heard of Sergeant Reckless? The sergeant was one of the most incredible and brave animals to ever serve in the military. That’s right, I said animal. Sergeant Reckless was a horse but not just a regular horse. She was a war hero during the Korean War in the 1950s who earned nine medals for her bravery. Reckless was trained to carry supplies for soldiers. She became a true hero on the battlefield!

Reckless didn’t just carry supplies. She would also run back and forth, sometimes multiple times a day, delivering ammunition to the soldiers who needed it the most. As guns fired around her, and bullets whistled by, she didn’t stop. In fact, there was one day when she made 51 trips without even stopping to rest and she did all that on her own, without anyone leading her. Reckless helped save the lives of many soldiers who needed those supplies to keep fighting.

Reckless was tough, very smart, and followed orders well, but she was also a thief. The Marines learned not to leave any food laying around because she liked to steal and eat it. Her favorite foods included scrambled eggs and Hershey’s chocolate. She even came into a tent one day and ate $30 worth of poker chips! Reckless became so famous for her bravery that the soldiers started calling her "Sergeant" and treated her like she was just another soldier. After the war ended, Reckless was promoted to the rank of Sergeant — yep, she was officially a Sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps! Everyone loved her, and she was given a home at the Marine Corps Base in Camp Pendleton, California.

So, the next time you hear about a hero, remember Sergeant Reckless. She showed everyone that heroes can come in all shapes and sizes, and they even have four legs and a heart full of courage. Today, there are statues and memorials in her honor, reminding us all of her incredible bravery, loyalty, and the important role she played during the Korean War.