The Commander of the 5th Marine Recoilless Rifle Platoon, Eric Pedersen, gave the order that nobody could ride the platoon's horse, which by acclaim was
re-named Reckless. Private 1st Class Monroe Coleman (from Utah), who knew horses, would be the primary companion for Reckless. Pedersen ordered a bunker built for Reckless, as well as sufficient feed, and training for combat, which was referred to as "Hoof Camp".
Reckless loved the attention from the Marines; she had never known so many wonderful comforts and company. She was brought into a Marine's tent to sleep by a stove during the hellishly cold Korean winter nights. Reckless was even given full rein of the camp, just like a Marine, and her favorite stop was the galley tent (mess hall). The Marines quickly became Reckless' herd.
re-named Reckless. Private 1st Class Monroe Coleman (from Utah), who knew horses, would be the primary companion for Reckless. Pedersen ordered a bunker built for Reckless, as well as sufficient feed, and training for combat, which was referred to as "Hoof Camp".
Reckless loved the attention from the Marines; she had never known so many wonderful comforts and company. She was brought into a Marine's tent to sleep by a stove during the hellishly cold Korean winter nights. Reckless was even given full rein of the camp, just like a Marine, and her favorite stop was the galley tent (mess hall). The Marines quickly became Reckless' herd.
"Hoof Camp" began for Reckless, and she was a very fast learner, needing only one or two sessions before demonstrating at least basic proficiency. Reckless was trained to among other things come when whistled, to get in/out of a trailer, and to surmount barbed wire. When Reckless was nervous, a shrill whistling sound came from her nostrils, almost as if she was "smelling" danger. When Reckless sized up a new challenge, she would lower her head as if deep in thought, and then, if comfortable, move ahead. As would be seen during combat, Reckless would go anywhere with someone that she trusted.
Reckless was also trained to "hit the deck" when under enemy fire (she also learned to do so when she heard "Incoming"). She also had to be trained to be calm when the Recoilless Rifles were fired, as well as never going behind the guns. Reckless was trained to head to her bunker when enemy shells hit near camp, but there were times when she thought that the Marines' bunker was more convenient. After experimentation, the 5th Marine Recoilless Rifle Platoon found that Reckless could safely/easily carry six rounds of shells in canisters, and if absolutely necessary, 8 to 10 canisters.
Reckless was also trained to "hit the deck" when under enemy fire (she also learned to do so when she heard "Incoming"). She also had to be trained to be calm when the Recoilless Rifles were fired, as well as never going behind the guns. Reckless was trained to head to her bunker when enemy shells hit near camp, but there were times when she thought that the Marines' bunker was more convenient. After experimentation, the 5th Marine Recoilless Rifle Platoon found that Reckless could safely/easily carry six rounds of shells in canisters, and if absolutely necessary, 8 to 10 canisters.
To other soldiers in the area, the 5th Marine Recoilless Rifle Platoon was referred to as the "Horse Marines". When the 5th Marine Recoilless Rifle Platoon was held in reserve, the duties of Reckless changed, in that she became transport for what was needed, even barbed wire; she could also string more communications wire in a day than 10 Marines. In January 1953, the 5th Marine Recoilless Rifle Platoon returned to combat, and they were placed in support of outposts named East Berlin, Berlin, Vegas, Reno, Carson, and Ava . . . Reckless would more than earn her stripes in early-1953. It was also about then that Lt. Pedersen sold "shares" to other Marines; while he still had the largest individual stake out of his $250 purchase price, he wanted many other Marines to be directly involved in the "Reckless venture".
When the fighting was fierce, Marines used their flak jackets to cover Reckless from head to tail, since she had become incredibly special to the other members of her herd. Reckless made friends wherever she went, which was incredibly handy in that Reckless would often be supporting more than just her platoon. Reckless would serve the Marines on Hill 120, which was a brute of a hill, but she was losing weight since she was eating C-rations because there wasn't enough available winter feed. So Marines were put on "Grass Duty" in order to make sure that Reckless ate normally, and she was also given antibiotics (which she hated), but in a week, Reckless was at 100%.
When the fighting was fierce, Marines used their flak jackets to cover Reckless from head to tail, since she had become incredibly special to the other members of her herd. Reckless made friends wherever she went, which was incredibly handy in that Reckless would often be supporting more than just her platoon. Reckless would serve the Marines on Hill 120, which was a brute of a hill, but she was losing weight since she was eating C-rations because there wasn't enough available winter feed. So Marines were put on "Grass Duty" in order to make sure that Reckless ate normally, and she was also given antibiotics (which she hated), but in a week, Reckless was at 100%.
During that week, the new Marine commander of the region ordered a truck to return with winter feed for Reckless. That new commander, Colonel Lew Walt, sensed that Reckless had become as important to the Marines as had Traveller, General Robert E. Lee's horse, to the Army of Northern Virginia. Reckless' health was crucial in that the Marines were about to engage in daytime firing raids on Chinese positions. Col. Walt wanted to stop the enemy's "creeping offensive" toward Marine positions. Daytime firing raids would allow for greater accuracy, as well as support from the air, tanks, artillery, recoilless rifles, and flamethrowers.
Reckless' job was to make sure that those that were providing covering fire had their ammunition. On 24 January 1953 the firing raids started, and on 31 January 1953 came "Raid Tex". What was different about "Tex" was that Reckless would be delivering ammunition from daybreak to sunset. The distance from her pasture to the ammunition loading site was an easy 1/5 of a mile, but from the loading site to the location of the guns was very difficult, in that it was very treacherous for Reckless and her guide to navigate.
The most daunting challenge was the narrow, twisting trail that rose at a grade of 45 degrees. Reckless preferred to meet the intimidating incline with a running head start, and the ammunition canisters were thrown around on her back as she galloped. Reckless' guide just dropped the reins and let her go; each time Reckless would make the ridge on the strength of a final urgent lunge.
Reckless' job was to make sure that those that were providing covering fire had their ammunition. On 24 January 1953 the firing raids started, and on 31 January 1953 came "Raid Tex". What was different about "Tex" was that Reckless would be delivering ammunition from daybreak to sunset. The distance from her pasture to the ammunition loading site was an easy 1/5 of a mile, but from the loading site to the location of the guns was very difficult, in that it was very treacherous for Reckless and her guide to navigate.
The most daunting challenge was the narrow, twisting trail that rose at a grade of 45 degrees. Reckless preferred to meet the intimidating incline with a running head start, and the ammunition canisters were thrown around on her back as she galloped. Reckless' guide just dropped the reins and let her go; each time Reckless would make the ridge on the strength of a final urgent lunge.
At the top of Hill 120, Reckless was winded, exhausted, but standing triumphant. Reckless waited for her guide, and then made her way to the guns without assistance. The gun crew would see her, and call her over; Reckless made the journey to Hill 120 fifteen times that day delivering over a ton of explosives, and the firing raid was deemed a tremendous success.
Over the next month, Reckless supported ten smaller but still very dangerous firing raids. On 25 February 1953, "Operation Charlie" was put into effect. This firing raid needed 5 rehearsals and careful planning, and it would be a far-more difficult assignment for Reckless in terms of the sheer volume of ammunition she would carry-and-deliver from dawn to dusk. Reckless made 24 trips during "Operation Charlie", covering 20 miles and delivering 3500 pounds of explosives. Reckless needed to make two runs to the top of the ridge on her last delivery . . . after that last run, Reckless' head was hung low as she returned to the safety of her bunker, utterly exhausted, not even nuzzling fellow Marines for attention.
Over the next month, Reckless supported ten smaller but still very dangerous firing raids. On 25 February 1953, "Operation Charlie" was put into effect. This firing raid needed 5 rehearsals and careful planning, and it would be a far-more difficult assignment for Reckless in terms of the sheer volume of ammunition she would carry-and-deliver from dawn to dusk. Reckless made 24 trips during "Operation Charlie", covering 20 miles and delivering 3500 pounds of explosives. Reckless needed to make two runs to the top of the ridge on her last delivery . . . after that last run, Reckless' head was hung low as she returned to the safety of her bunker, utterly exhausted, not even nuzzling fellow Marines for attention.
Once in her bunker, Reckless perked up when given her favorite food of warm bran mash, but she ate unusually slowly. Reckless received a thorough rubdown and was covered in a blanket for the night, all safe-and-snug . . . but Reckless' finest day was yet-to-come. By the spring of 1953, Reckless was enjoying the fresh green vegetation, and she burned-off extra energy by chasing her own shadow, prancing around whether-or-not she had an audience (Reckless tended to become bored if she wasn't working or being tended to in some manner). Sadly, Reckless had to say goodbye to many Marine friends since they were rotated back to the U.S., but the good news was that with the new arrivals, Reckless had a chance to make new friends.
Reckless ventured out of her pasture one night, and actually headed to the front lines. Word spread along the Marines on the front that she had arrived, and she was enjoying the attention and the C-rations. But those Marines didn't radio Lt. Pedersen that Reckless was with them, wanting to play a little joke on the 5th Marine Recoilless Rifle Platoon. Then the enemy started an intense artillery barrage, and Reckless was rushed to the deepest part of the Marine trench, where she surprised them by kneeling, and she was covered with flak jackets. Suddenly, it was no longer funny that Reckless was on the front lines.
Pedersen was finally notified at daybreak when the shelling stopped, and after that nighttime experience, Reckless would never be that adventurous again, since she would have plenty of work. During March 1953, Reckless and her squad participated in 18 firing raids over 13 days, but it would be the Battle for Outpost Vegas in late-March that would make Reckless a legend . . .
Below: a retrospective of Sgt. Reckless' heroic actions in the Korean War
Pedersen was finally notified at daybreak when the shelling stopped, and after that nighttime experience, Reckless would never be that adventurous again, since she would have plenty of work. During March 1953, Reckless and her squad participated in 18 firing raids over 13 days, but it would be the Battle for Outpost Vegas in late-March that would make Reckless a legend . . .
Below: a retrospective of Sgt. Reckless' heroic actions in the Korean War