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Reckless: Pride of the Marines
Reckless was a remarkable war-hero. Born and raised in Korea, Reckless was flame-red, bred from a prize-winning race-horse, and discovered by American soldiers during the Korean War.
The battalion of US Marines Reckless was assigned to fell in love with her at once, feeding her Coca Cola and beer as she became one of the guys. Not only did she boost morale, but she saved lives as well, and she was posthumously awarded the Dicken Medal for her bravery during active service.
Sergeant Reckless, as she is now known, was a truly remarkable animal.
One of Reckless’ finest hours came during the Battle of Outpost Vegas in March of 1953. On one day alone during the five-day battle, she made 51 trips from the Ammunition Supply Point to the firing sites. She carried 386 rounds of ammunition, walked over 35 miles through open rice paddies and up steep mountains with enemy fire coming in close to her hooves. She also carried wounded soldiers down the mountain to safety and unloaded them before she reloaded with ammunition and headed off back to battle.
Sergeant Reckless retired from the Marine Corps on 10 November 1960 and died (aged 20) on 13 May 1968. She was buried with full military honors at her adopted home of Camp Pendleton, California.
‘A stalwart, sentimental appeal, for the unreconstructed horse lover old and young’ — Kirkus Review
‘In my career I have seen many animals that have been adopted by Marines, but never in all my experience have I seen one which won the hearts of so many as did this lovely little lady known as Reckless.’ — Randolph M. Pate, Lieutenant General, USMC, Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, Washington, D. C
Andrew Geer (1905-1957) wrote The Sea Chase , Canton Airlift and Canton Barrier , as well as Pride of the Marines , which was first published in 1955.
The battalion of US Marines Reckless was assigned to fell in love with her at once, feeding her Coca Cola and beer as she became one of the guys. Not only did she boost morale, but she saved lives as well, and she was posthumously awarded the Dicken Medal for her bravery during active service.
Sergeant Reckless, as she is now known, was a truly remarkable animal.
One of Reckless’ finest hours came during the Battle of Outpost Vegas in March of 1953. On one day alone during the five-day battle, she made 51 trips from the Ammunition Supply Point to the firing sites. She carried 386 rounds of ammunition, walked over 35 miles through open rice paddies and up steep mountains with enemy fire coming in close to her hooves. She also carried wounded soldiers down the mountain to safety and unloaded them before she reloaded with ammunition and headed off back to battle.
Sergeant Reckless retired from the Marine Corps on 10 November 1960 and died (aged 20) on 13 May 1968. She was buried with full military honors at her adopted home of Camp Pendleton, California.
‘A stalwart, sentimental appeal, for the unreconstructed horse lover old and young’ — Kirkus Review
‘In my career I have seen many animals that have been adopted by Marines, but never in all my experience have I seen one which won the hearts of so many as did this lovely little lady known as Reckless.’ — Randolph M. Pate, Lieutenant General, USMC, Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, Washington, D. C
Andrew Geer (1905-1957) wrote The Sea Chase , Canton Airlift and Canton Barrier , as well as Pride of the Marines , which was first published in 1955.
173 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
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February 26, 2024TheEReaderCafe
August 11, 2016
The story of Reckless, written by a soldier that served with the little mare, details her 9 months of military service. It is easy to see how Reckless won the hearts of the Marines -sharing their tents on cold winter nights and sharing the work load as she hauled ammunition to the firing lines. She entertained them with her antics and amazed them with her resolve. It is no surprise they did everything the could to make sure the little mare came back to the United States for her retirement and that she was well honored for her service.
I bought this book thinking it was just going to be the story of Reckless but over half of the book is about the stable boy who cared for the mare who gave birth to Reckless. Reckless doesn't even appear until the books halfway point and it is there the story of the stable boy abruptly ends. With so much detail given about the boys life before the horse is sold is is strange that nothing shared about what happens to him or his family.
November 5, 2015
Reckless is an amazing horse that will blow your mind away. She changed the way people look at horses. They are amazing animals that are very smart and intelligent. Sargent Reckless earned her spot and she worked hard. She would go on missions with ammunition strapped to her back and go to the battle lines with one hundred percent confidence. The reader’s aspect will change when reading this book. There are so many things that Reckless can teach us about and even though she is not here anymore, everyone is still amazed by her story. One might think that a horse has no feelings, but Reckless would know when something was going on with the men and would try to help. There are no words that could ever express how intelligent this horse was, but by reading this book, the reader can get closer to Reckless, think, and feel how she did though the process of being a Marine.
April 18, 2021
Andrew Geer did a phenomenal job in putting this together back in 1954. As a result, we are able to get a fairly comprehensive understanding of the life and exploits of Sergeant Reckless, the wonder horse.
Unfortunately, because of the two parts in which he wrote - Korean and then American - it became a tedious read. The Korean part of the story left us hanging. I don't know if that was because Geer didn't have any follow up information at the time, or that it was an oversight, but we needed to have a better ending to Kim Huk Moon's part of the story. After the horse was purchased, he entirely disappeared, though Choi came back into the story towards the end. He mentions a Korean boy who ran and embraced the horse in the stable, but we do not know if it is Moon or not. This could have been written better.
On the American Marine Corps side - there was too much military jargon. As a veteran myself I was able to understand what was being said, but for the civilian readers with no military service, that alone would beg more questions than answers. Furthermore, there was a lot of build up to the airplane ride, but then he skipped over the ride entirely.
I rated this a four because of the context of the time in which it was written. If it was written today, it would warrant a three because of the criticism I listed above. But for 1954 right at the end of the Korean War, while all of this was happening, the fact that Geer was able to provide us so much rich historical detail, despite what he leaves out, was really remarkable for its time. Therefore, I give this a four-star rating for Geer's due diligence.
Unfortunately, because of the two parts in which he wrote - Korean and then American - it became a tedious read. The Korean part of the story left us hanging. I don't know if that was because Geer didn't have any follow up information at the time, or that it was an oversight, but we needed to have a better ending to Kim Huk Moon's part of the story. After the horse was purchased, he entirely disappeared, though Choi came back into the story towards the end. He mentions a Korean boy who ran and embraced the horse in the stable, but we do not know if it is Moon or not. This could have been written better.
On the American Marine Corps side - there was too much military jargon. As a veteran myself I was able to understand what was being said, but for the civilian readers with no military service, that alone would beg more questions than answers. Furthermore, there was a lot of build up to the airplane ride, but then he skipped over the ride entirely.
I rated this a four because of the context of the time in which it was written. If it was written today, it would warrant a three because of the criticism I listed above. But for 1954 right at the end of the Korean War, while all of this was happening, the fact that Geer was able to provide us so much rich historical detail, despite what he leaves out, was really remarkable for its time. Therefore, I give this a four-star rating for Geer's due diligence.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 10, 2023
A very rewarding read
The kind of straight, direct writing reminded me both of Jack London, and Ernest Hemingway. Andrew Geer chose an excellent way to tell this very interesting story. It was a great bit of world history, as well as giving important information about the ‘humanising’ influence an animal can have on us humans. It proves what is possible and reminds us of the waste we usually make of the resources around us. It was interesting militarily as well as from the horse-lover’s point of view. It introduced me to the story of a very under-reported war, one which still makes reverberations today.
The kind of straight, direct writing reminded me both of Jack London, and Ernest Hemingway. Andrew Geer chose an excellent way to tell this very interesting story. It was a great bit of world history, as well as giving important information about the ‘humanising’ influence an animal can have on us humans. It proves what is possible and reminds us of the waste we usually make of the resources around us. It was interesting militarily as well as from the horse-lover’s point of view. It introduced me to the story of a very under-reported war, one which still makes reverberations today.
January 13, 2022
Wonderful story of a horse that should not be forgotten!
Excellent story, given to me as a gift. Thoroughly enjoyed the first part about the Korean boy that went to great lengths to be involved with horses. Good historical fiction about Korea, when occupied by the Japanese and then the Chinese. Part 2 was a little more challenging to a lay person who is not understanding the military terminology. The editing could be better. Even so, I gave it 5 stars as the story itself outshines the small challenges.
Excellent story, given to me as a gift. Thoroughly enjoyed the first part about the Korean boy that went to great lengths to be involved with horses. Good historical fiction about Korea, when occupied by the Japanese and then the Chinese. Part 2 was a little more challenging to a lay person who is not understanding the military terminology. The editing could be better. Even so, I gave it 5 stars as the story itself outshines the small challenges.
July 14, 2017
A fascinating story. Too much military strategy for me - I found those parts confusing. The battle scenes and stresses are vividly described, making you marvel at the horse's courage and the dedication of the Marines she is supporting. The descriptions of the horse, her intelligence, courage, and affection for her human friends are wonderful. As one observer is quoted: "She has forgotten she is a horse." I definitely want to learn more about Reckless, and plan to read Hutton's book as well.
November 30, 2019
Good reading
The story of this horse and her mother is fascinating. The beginning gives a hint of what Koreans have gone through before they split into two separate nations. The Marines turned a little racehorse into a military heroine. I love the story. It isn't like MASH. I would have given it 5 stars but the editing was bad and distracting.
The story of this horse and her mother is fascinating. The beginning gives a hint of what Koreans have gone through before they split into two separate nations. The Marines turned a little racehorse into a military heroine. I love the story. It isn't like MASH. I would have given it 5 stars but the editing was bad and distracting.
December 13, 2018
Editing
I enjoyed the book very much. The editing, however, leaves a little to be desired. Spelling was off, and sometimes I had to read a sentence over to understand. Other than that it's a good story, well told.
I enjoyed the book very much. The editing, however, leaves a little to be desired. Spelling was off, and sometimes I had to read a sentence over to understand. Other than that it's a good story, well told.
November 10, 2019
Great Stuff.
This book is a real treat. What a story! It is amazing how a horse impacted the morale and productivity of the Marines in Korea in the early 1950s. I loved this book
This book is a real treat. What a story! It is amazing how a horse impacted the morale and productivity of the Marines in Korea in the early 1950s. I loved this book
January 10, 2020
Reckless
The story of "Reckless: Pride of the Marines" was terrific. It was an interesting, exciting and heartwarming story about a brave, loyal Marine horse during the Korean war. The story of her mother Flame and Kim, a Korean boy who trains and later owns her helps show where Reckless got the qualities that made her so loved and honored later.
The story of "Reckless: Pride of the Marines" was terrific. It was an interesting, exciting and heartwarming story about a brave, loyal Marine horse during the Korean war. The story of her mother Flame and Kim, a Korean boy who trains and later owns her helps show where Reckless got the qualities that made her so loved and honored later.
January 23, 2023
Loved this tribute to a honored female Marine
This tale of Sgt Reckless is a true story of love, courage and heartache. I am so glad the first part of her life and that of her dame was included.
This tale of Sgt Reckless is a true story of love, courage and heartache. I am so glad the first part of her life and that of her dame was included.
June 24, 2017
Fascinating - not very long but still very interesting - There are two parts - #1 the Korean story and #2 the Marines stories
August 11, 2017
Reckless
Great story. Highly recommend well written tribute to wonderful horse. Marines treated her in greatest possible manner and excelled in future.
Great story. Highly recommend well written tribute to wonderful horse. Marines treated her in greatest possible manner and excelled in future.
October 27, 2017
Excellent
A heart warming story especially for anyone who knows what the U.S. Marines are all about. From the son of a Marine.
A heart warming story especially for anyone who knows what the U.S. Marines are all about. From the son of a Marine.
August 22, 2018
What a great horse story during wartime. This little mare is awesome!
October 26, 2018
Fantastic read
Anyone loving horses and the Marine Corps, will love this book. Well written and very clear as to what this little horse did.
Anyone loving horses and the Marine Corps, will love this book. Well written and very clear as to what this little horse did.
March 1, 2024
I am enjoying the history of sgt. Reckless. I really enjoyed the book
March 13, 2017
Good read
This is one of those books that I want a hard copy of. Good reading and for sharing with friends.
This is one of those books that I want a hard copy of. Good reading and for sharing with friends.
August 21, 2025
'Sgt Reckless' was a better account of this incredible animal.
Sgt. Reckless: America's War Horse
Robin Hutton
Sgt. Reckless: America's War Horse
Robin Hutton
April 4, 2017
Excellent book!
Very interesting as it covers the era before Sgt. Reckless was born. Intriguing hindsight into Korean occupation by Japanese . " Reckless" was indeed a person, a true marine. Loved the story.
Very interesting as it covers the era before Sgt. Reckless was born. Intriguing hindsight into Korean occupation by Japanese . " Reckless" was indeed a person, a true marine. Loved the story.
January 7, 2018
Fantastic story
The author took great care in telling the story of reckless. The love and devotion of her multitude of marines will keep her story alive for many years to come.
The author took great care in telling the story of reckless. The love and devotion of her multitude of marines will keep her story alive for many years to come.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews