Sergeant Reckless: The Korean War Horse and U.S. Marine

The story of Sergeant Reckless is one close to the hearts of the men who served alongside her. A decorated war horse who stood no more than 14 hands tall (56 inches or 142 cm), she was hailed a hero for the integral role she played in the Korean War.

“And some night, under a Kentucky moon, I’m sure you’ll find her standing proud with champions like Affirmed and Alydar, Whirlaway, Secretariat, and Man O’ War… and she’ll say, ‘Listen up, boys, and I’ll tell you about a race I ran…’”

Those words are but a few of the many praises people speak of an American soldier whose accomplishments are not so widely known, despite being one of the most famous horses to have served the United States.

Finding Reckless

A small Mongolian mare with a brilliant chestnut coat, a blaze, and three white stockings, Sergeant Reckless was originally named Ah Chim Hai, meaning “Flame of the Morning.” Lieutenant Eric Pedersen, commanding officer of the Recoilless Rifle Platoon of the 5^th Marine Regiment, found her at the racetrack in Seoul, South Korea, in October of 1952 after receiving permission from his regimental commander to obtain a horse who could be trained to carry up to nine 24-pound shells for the recoilless rifles—introduced during World War II—used by his platoon.

Kim Huk Moon, the Korean stableboy who owned Reckless, loved her dearly, but sold her in order to buy an artificial leg for his sister after she lost hers to a land mine. Lieutenant Pedersen paid Moon $250, loaded the mare into a jeep trailer, and drove back to camp. It was dark when they arrived, but members of the Recoilless Rifle Platoon were eager to meet the new recruit, and christened her “ Reckless,” after the ‘restless rifle’ nickname they had given their weapon.

Training and Platoon Life

Private First Class Monroe Coleman was responsible for caring for Reckless and Platoon Sergeant Joseph Latham put her through hoof camp. Her nights were rather leisurely; after the first few nights of being tied to her bunker, Reckless was given free rein to roam and often visited the Marines in their tents, sleeping with them occasionally and taking advantage of the warm stone on cold nights.

During the day, Latham put his recruit through her paces. He taught her to jump in and out of a jeep trailer, where she would hop in and lay catty-corner until he tied her down. He also taught her to take cover on the front lines—a tap on the front leg meant to hit the deck or get down, and when incoming rounds hit behind the lines, a shout of “incoming!” would send her to her bunker.

After a pack saddle was received, Latham taught Reckless to carry ammunition—six rounds a load. Adjustments were made to the saddle that allowed her to carry 10, but Pedersen waited until it was absolutely necessary for that.

Off the battlefield, she was known for her voracious appetite—even though she seemed to enjoy her horse fares, she had a fondness for whatever the Marines were eating as well. Scrambled eggs, buttered toast, bacon, chocolate, Coca-Cola, peanut butter sandwiches, mashed potatoes, beer, whiskey, bourbon… it didn’t matter. Her other jobs behind the scenes included stringing communications wire, carrying, grenades, small-arms, ammunitions, rations and sleeping bags, to name a few.

Korean War Battlefield

Reckless’s first experience under fire occurred at Hedley’s Crotch, near the villages of Changdan and Kwakchan. Loaded down with six recoilless rifle shells, she “went straight up” and all four feet left the ground the first time the rifle went off. It left her shaking, but Coleman calmed her down. She snorted the second time the rifle fired, and by the end of that day had grown accustomed to the sound.

During the Battle of Outpost Vegas in March of 1953, Reckless made 51 round-trips—most of them alone—from the supply point to the firing sites. During the five day battle, the mare carried over 9,000 pounds of ammunition (386 recoilless rounds) and walked over 35 miles, going through rice paddies, up and down steep mountains, while enemy fire exploded around her. It was, without question, the most notorious battle of her career.

Through her time with the Marines she also provided a shield for those on the front-lines, carried wounded soldiers to safety, and was wounded twice—the first time by shrapnel above her eye and the second on her left flank.

Sergeant Reckless Comes Home

On November 10, 1954, Reckless arrived in the United States and was welcomes as the guest of honor at the Marines’ 179^th birthday celebration. A few days later she traveled to Vista, California, where she spent some time with Pedersen and his family before being stabled at Camp Pendleton.

The red mare become the property of the First Marine Division Association, but continued to be cared for by the 5^th Marines. She made guest appearances and marches with her comrades when possible, though those occasions were put on hold when she foaled Fearless, Dauntless, Chesty, and her fourth foal, who sadly died at only a month old.

She was officially promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant by the Commandment of the Marine Corps on August 31, 1959, and remains the only animal to boast the rank. With full military honors, she was officially retired on November 10, 1960.

Honors and Monuments

Sergeant Reckless’s military decorations include two Purple Hearts, a Presidential Unit Citation (1 bronze star), Navy Unit Commendation, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal (3 bronze stars), Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, United Nations Service Medal Korea, PDSA Dickin Medal (awarded posthumously), and an Ambassador for Peace Medal.

There are currently three monuments in the United States that honor Reckless. The first was dedicated at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico, Virginia; the second is at Camp Pendleton, where she retired and is buried; and the third was unveiled in May of 2018 at the Kentucky Horse Park, where four veterans who served with her in North Korea helped in the emotional unveiling ceremony. On that special day, it was resoundingly clear exactly how much Reckless meant to those men. She wasn’t just a horse—she was a Marine.

This story of Sergeant Reckless was originally published in Thoroughbred Today Magazine’s Holidays 2018 issue and has been modified to reflect details about her height, first battlefield experience, and monuments erected after 2018. Written by Ciara Bowen. Purchase a print copy of the Holidays 2018 issue here.