A bronze statue of Staff Sgt. Reckless is scheduled to be dedicated to the famous Korean War pack horse during a ceremony at the Pacific Views Event Center on October 26 at 10:00 a.m.
Brig. Gen. Kevin Killea, Commanding General of Marine Corps Installations West – Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, will be joined by Korean War Veterans who served with Staff Sgt. Reckless and the Marine Corps Mounted Color Guard in dedicating the statue.
Staff Sgt. Reckless served with the Recoilless Rifle Platoon, Anti-Tank Company, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. The unit’s Platoon Commander bought her at a racetrack in Seoul during the Korean War and trained her to navigate supply routes by herself and evade enemy fire.
After serving on the front lines in Korea, she was awarded two purple hearts, a Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, a Presidential Unit Citation with bronze star, the National Defense Service Medal, a Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Korea Medal, a Navy Unit Commendation, a Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation and, posthumously, was awarded the Dickin Medal.
I’ve known about Sergeant Reckless and her amazing and heartwarming story since I was a little girl. It is truly one of my most favorite stories and really left a very positive impression on me. What an absolutely incredible and wonderful horse. As an adult now in my 60’s I send much appreciation to the U.S. Marine Corp for recognizing, honoring and memorializing her and her heroic service to our Country. She definitely deserved the wonderful life, love, affection and great care she received by the Marines at Camp Pendleton. Thank you for commissioning the beautiful statue of her and honoring her again with a memorial ceremony. I wish I could have been there to participate in honoring and remembering her.
I would love to know who did the bronze work of this amazing animal?