Life magazine ran a special collectors edition in 1997 entitled celebrating our heroes, and theres reckless listed alongside the likes of. Sergeant reckless comes complete with her blanket decorated with her awards and 6 new collectible trading cards. Bassett couldnt believe he was hearing this story for the first time. For robin hutton, a camarillobased writer who uncovered the horses story and in 2014 wrote a book, sgt. A second memorial at camp pendleton, where reckless lived out the rest of her life, is currently in the planning and funding stages. Thanks in part to huttons book, however, there has been a resurgence of. Ralph sherman, and weapon went out first, followed by reckless in her trailer and finally the ammunition. From the racetrack to the battlefielddauntless, fearless, and exemplar of semper fi she was reckless, pride of the marines. Reckless was an amazing horse who saved so many marines lives during the korean war. Amid an inferno of explosives on a deadly minefield in the korean war, a fourlegged marine proved to be a heroic force of nature. Reckless, will be unveiled friday at the marine corps museum in quantico, va. Fortunately, two new books hit the shelves this summerreckless. Much more than that, reckless became a war heroin fact, she became a combat marine, earning staff sergeants stripes before her retirement to camp pendleton. Just like the saturday evening post article in 1954, huttons book and subsequent campaign to build a monument at the kentucky horse park won sergeant reckless new fans across the country.
Highly recommended for anyone, and especially for everyone. Sgt reckless, americas war horse the book was sitting on. Robin l hutton the story of the mongolian mare, who, despite only measuring about thirteen hands high, became an american hero for her actions during the korean war, being awarded two purple hearts for her valor. Some of those fans were also veterans, like the executives at ups who were former marines who contacted bassett and wanted to know how they could help. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read sgt. Reckless wins best equine book of 2014 at american horse publications awards. The fourlegged marine who became a korean war hero history. Monday, may 28th, 2018 filed under horse stories, people and places. Reckless the war horse meet your next favorite book. Feb 21, 2017 fortunately, two new books hit the shelves this summer reckless. Hopefully, this book will renew interest in one of the bravest marines ever sgt. For a schedule of book signings for robin huttons book on sgt reckless, click here. Wellwritten, nice pictures and tributes from marine commanders who knew this little horse. Tons of never before seen pics, stories of how the marines loved the little mare, her favorite troopers and her foals.
Sgt reckless americas greatest war horse she wasnt a horse she was a marine. It fills in all of the gaps from previous books about this marvelous, courageous little redhaired mongolian mare. The inspiring true story of reckless, the brave little horse who. Reckless was awarded two purple hearts for her valor and was promoted to. The illustrations are beautiful and the story is well writen and accurate. This is another interesting book that young animal lovers will like. Americas war horse appeared on the newlyminted animals bestseller list for the months of september and october 2014. We are using the book as our book of the year and the response from the area has been great. The paperback contains a foreword by the 35th commandant of the marine corps, gen james amos, and four different trading cards. This nonfiction picture book is an excellent choice to share during. There are two other lifesized bronze statues of the hero at virginias national museum of the marine corps and heritage center and at camp pendleton.
Staff sergeant reckless, the only horse in us history to have been promoted. The work concludes with a synopsis of recklesss retirement in the united states. As a former horse owner i had five and rider and more importantly a marine both enlisted and officer who served 25 years and proudly claim the title usmcrte for 37 years, i was moved to tears many times while reading about the life and service of sergeant reckless. Sgt reckless, americas war horse the book was sitting on my doorstep. The work concludes with a synopsis of reckless s retirement in the united states. Jul 01, 2014 this book is a picture book about sgt. What differentiates this story is that it is written so many years later, so it also tells the story of reckless final years at camp the book brings to life the actions of a horse that is now unknown to a. Heroic korean war horse honored by marines with bronze statue. Reckless had a unique personality that attracted the marines to her and she bonded with each member of her unit 75 mm recoilless rifle platoon of the 5th marines, first marine division. Remarkable story of a special horse who was a member of the marine corps in the korean war.
Sgt reckless americas war horse by robin hutton is a true gem. Amid an inferno of explosives on a deadly minefield in the korean wa. An uphill battle ssgt reckless bronze maquette fully loaded our price. The fourlegged marine who became a korean war hero. Verdict this wellillustrated war story will appeal to many, especially fans of michael morpurgos war horse. Be sure to fill out the inscription section who you want the book personalized to or if you just want an. Sergeant reckless2018 texas bluebonnet book youtube. This nonfiction picture book is an excellent choice to share during homesc. Delving deeper into her hoof camp in the field, her unique personality and her courageous, determined nonstop work as the ammo carrier at the battle of vegas that.
Wadley of the us marine corps, who served with reckless attended the ceremony to unveil her bronze statue at the kentucky horse park on the 50th anniversary of her death. Bronze memorials honoring this heroic mare can be found at the kentucky horse park, camp pendleton, and the national museum of the marine corps. Both tell the tale of a korean horse pony, reallyshe was under 14 hands bred to run at the racetrack in seoul. Reckless, a filly who was purchased and trained by the u. Sergeant reckless, a horse that held official rank in the united states military, was a mare of mongolian horse breeding. Be sure to fill out the inscription section who you want the book personalized to or if you just want an autograph and no inscription or personalization, let me know.
This site is dedicated to a remarkable hero a small mongolian mare named reckless who became a national hero in 1954 when an article ran in the saturday evening post about her heroics during several battles in the korean war. Americas war horse, robin hutton has masterfully crafted the definitive story of reckless, the great little korean mare who so boldly served alongside marines of the recoilless rifle platoon, 5th marine regiment, in the korean war carrying ammunition under enemy fire. Having interviewed over 75 people that served with reckless in korea and camp pendleton, the. This nonfiction picture book is an excellent choice to share during homeschooling, in particular for children ages 4 to 6. Robin l hutton describes the small mongolian mare and celebrated hero of the korean war who helped the american war effort by carrying wounded soldiers and making multiple trips across combat zones to deliver. This is the complete and captivating account of how a wouldbe korean racehorse became one of the greatest marine corps wartime heroes. The story of the mongolian mare, who, despite only measuring about thirteen hands high, became an american hero for her actions during the korean war, being awarded two purple hearts for her valor and being officially promoted to staff sergeant twice, a distinction never bestowed upon an animal. The true story of a little horse who became a hero. The two of them did more than just raise money, they also raised awareness about sergeant reckless. Statue of korean war horse reckless to be unveiled at marine. Pride of the marines 1955 were written by the commander of the 2nd battalion, lieutenant colonel. Reckless was bought by members of the united states marine corps and trained to be a pack horse for. They called her reckless a true story of war, love and.
Her books have received medals from the independent publisher book awards and the moonbeam childrens book awards. Nov 05, 2018 enjoy the reading of sergeant reckless. Both tell the tale of a korean horse pony, reallyshe was about hands tall bred to run at the racetrack in seoul. Korean war hero is a suitable title, mccormicks is more exciting. Contains 6 pictures most of them never before seen that were sent to me by the marines who served with reckless and took the pictures themselves. I had no trouble keeping my four year old interested. Americas war horse, the quiet unofficial groundbreaking monday at the.
This book is a great way to share her story with my children. Americas war horse and was regaling the assembled marines with stories about the horses adventures and exploits. Aug 29, 2018 like many other korean war veterans, sgt. Statue of korean war horse reckless to be unveiled at. Reckless service in the war, and this book of course takes a large amount from the original story. The story of the mongolian mare, who, despite only measuring about thirteen hands high, became an american hero for her actions during the korean war, being awarded two purple hearts for her valor and being officially promoted to staff sergeant twice, a distinction never bestowed upon an animal before or since. Robin hutton had authored a book about sergeant reckless titled sgt. I found several things that were incorrect on the wikipedia page and inserted new material that i thought the readers would enjoy, and i spent hours doing this yesterday forgot to save and lost all edits oye. Fortunately, two new books hit the shelves this summer reckless. A 10foot bronze statue of the courageous and insatiable horse, staff sgt. A mongolian mare who was bred to be a racehorse, ahchimhai, or flameofthemorning, belonged to a young boy named kimhukmoon. She was named reckless by the marines fighting in the korean war.
The inspiring true story of reckless, the brave little horse who became a marine. Reckless became overshadowed by the events of world war ii and the vietnam war. The remarkable tale of americas most heroic war horse has earned a spot on the coveted new york times bestseller list. Reckless memorial monument at the national museum of the marine corps, completed in july 20, and now spurring the creation of a second memorial at camp pendleton, california, where reckless lived out the rest of her days. Heroic korean war horse honored by marines with bronze. But during the 195053 korean war, one mare would run towards it. The author interviewed hundreds of marines and other people whose lives were touched by reckless and incorporated the wonderful stories into this book. Reckless wins best equine book of 2014 at american horse publications. The true story of the little horse who became a hero by patricia mccormick and illustrated by iacopo bruno. Book overview a new york times bestseller from the racetrack to the battlefielddauntless, fearless, and exemplar of semper fi she was reckless, pride of the marines. If you want to read a wonderful, book about a true war hero then ive got one for you. Gift set includes sergeant reckless model and sgt reckless, americas war horse by robin hutton, a new york times bestseller and the only complete biography of sgt reckless and her three colts fearless, dauntless and chesty.