MANY OF YOU ASKED why I didn’t post about Sgt. Reckless this Memorial Holiday… So, I decided to repost two previous posts about Sgt. Reckless. The first is about the book and the second post is about her memorial. Have a great day back to work!
HERE WE GO!
ORIGINALLY POSTED JULY, 2014
Last week, I received an email asking if I’d like an advance copy of the new SGT Reckless book by Robin Hutton.
I didn’t know there was a new SGT Reckless book… but I said, “Absolutely!”
It arrived today.
And, I must tell you, I’m impressed. So far, I’ve only looked at the photos and the chapter headings, but I can tell you that I will be reading it tonight!
Loads of photos and new story angles!
I found myself smiling at her.
Click image to go to Amazon to pre-order the book. (NO AFFILIATION)
HERE ARE SOME OF THE PHOTOS – 8 years of research went into this book!
The book has many, many photos and never before told stories. Clearly the author, Robin Hutton, did an amazing research job. Very thorough.
Did you know SGT Reckless had foals? Me, neither.
Did you know there was a statue in her honor (the book cover)? Me, neither.
Here are some of the photos… I took these shots while trying to keep the book opened and I didn’t have enough hands. Please forgive.
I love these shots of Sgt. Reckless getting love from the troops!
Here she is, drinking a beer…
SHE HAD FOALS!!
This was her first foal… I never knew she had foals!
There’s an entire chapter on her three foals and what became of them. The author did so much research… It took her 8 years!
I LOVED THIS QUOTE…
I loved this quote but I don’t know who said it… It came as the header from the email I received from the publisher:
“She wasn’t a horse-she was a Marine”: Robin Hutton rediscovers the story of Sgt. Reckless.”
These fun trading cards were in the back of the book!
PRE-ORDER THROUGH AMAZON! IT WILL RELEASE IN TWO WEEKS!
Use this link to go to Amazon to pre-order (no affiliation).
What a great shot… Click image to order from Amazon.
THE SGT. RECKLESS MEMORIAL! – ORIGINALLY POSTED SEPTEMBER 11, 2014
A reader sent a clipping, informing me that there will be a Fund Raising Event honoring Sgt. Reckless at Camp Pendleton in San Diego, CA on Saturday, September 13th!
They are hoping to raise enough money to erect a Monument at Camp Pendleton! Please go if you are able!
A MONUMENT FOR RECKLESS AT CAMP PENDLETON, WHERE SHE RETIRED AND IS LAID TO REST.
The event is a fund raiser to help raise money to create a 2nd monument of Sgt. Reckless to be erected at her retirement home and final resting place, Camp Pendleton in San Diego, CA.
Mark September 13 on your calendars and, if you’re in the area, plan to attend our annual fundraiser. We will hold it at the Las Flores Adobe this year. If you can’t join us at the annual fundraiser, you can still donate using PayPal or sending a check. All profits will go to the Reckless Monument Fund. (The fundraiser is from 11:am to 4 pm at the Los Flores Adobe. Which can be reached by entering the base at the gate just east of the las pulgas exit off interstate 5. Tickets cost $30.00 admission is free for children younger than 12. Visit camppendletonhistoricalsociety.org. And sgtreckless.com. “. )
“After serving with the 1st battalion 5th marine regiment. The mare returned to camp Pendleton and lived her last 14 years on base at the Stepp stables where she was buried in 1968. ” the non profit group is holding a fund raiser Saturday. At the base’s historic Las Flores Adobe. Which the society helped restore. The historical society is matching donations up to $30,000. And Hutton is donating part of the proceeds from her book to the project. Which is estimated to cost $135,000. With a completion date set for next year. The fundraiser is from 11:am to 4 pm at the Los Flores Adobe. Which can be reached by entering the base at the gate just east of the las pulgas exit off interstate 5. Tickets cost $30.00 admission is free for children younger than 12. Visit camppendletonhistoricalsociety.org. And sgtreckless.com. “.
The first monument at her unveiling at the National Museum of the Marine Corps. There is now a fund raiser to create a 2nd monument for Sgt. Reckless’ retirement home, Camp Pendleton.
THE DETAILS…
RECKLESS MONUMENT FUND
The Camp Pendleton Historical Society has partnered with author Robin Hutton and artist Jocelyn Russell to bring a larger than life monument of the warhorse Reckless to Camp Pendleton. Reckless was a small Mongolian mare purchased in 1952 in Korea by Lieutenant Erick Pederson, leader of the 5th Marine Regiment recoilless rifle platoon. In Marine jargon recoilless rifles were known as “reckless rifles,” hence her name.
Marines trained Reckless to carry 75mm ammunition and supplies to frontline firing positions. She learned quickly and often completed her mission without a handler. A strong, mutual bond formed. It was no longer just a horse and Marines; the platoon accepted her as one of their own. The small mare became Private Reckless.
In March 1953 the 5th Marines were engaged in a particularly violent struggle known as the Battle for Outpost Vegas. During one day of that engagement Reckless made 51 trips from the ammunition supply point to the frontline positions, most of them on her own. She carried over 300 rounds, more than 9,000 lbs, across 35 miles of rice paddies and steep mountain trails to her fellow Marines. After offloading her supplies, she carried the wounded back to the aid station. Reckless was wounded twice, but never faltered. If there had been a strong bond between two and four legged Marines before, it was cemented forever by her heroic actions that day. In recognition of her bravery she was promoted meritoriously to corporal.
When the 5th Marines returned to Camp Pendleton in 1954, Reckless came with them. She lived the remainder of her days at the Camp Pendleton stables. Over the years she had three foals: Dauntless, Fearless, and Chesty. In 1957 General Randolph McCall Pate, Commandant of the Marine Corps, awarded her a final promotion to staff sergeant (E-6). Although she was never again asked to risk her life under fire, she played a central role in regimental ceremonies. After her death Reckless was buried at the Base stables with full military honors.
It will cost $125,000 to prepare, ship, and install a bronze monument to Reckless aboard Camp Pendleton. When in place, it will look very much like one installed at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in July 2013. CPHS will assist with the fundraising and will match all money raised, up to $30,000, with funds already in our accounts. We hope that you will join the cause. Remember that with CPHS’s matching promise, each dollar contributed becomes two dollars!
HOW TO DONATE IF YOU CANNOT ATTEND
There are two websites that have donation information. One is the Camp Pendleton Historical Society and the other is SGT. Reckless (official site) created by the author of the book.
Both sites have fund raiser information but the Sgt. Reckless site has a Fund Raising thermometer, which I always love!
Click to go to site
Click image to visit site.
SGT RECKLESS…
I’ve written about Sgt. Reckless (the mare) often. Most recently regarding the new book by Robin Hutton! Click here to read that post.
Book Cover. To order the book, click on image. (no affiliation)
From the author’s website…
OTHER NEWS ABOUT RECKLESS FROM THE AUTHOR WEBSITE: Her Grave Marker.
I found this tidbit when I was searching through the Author’s website. It is about a grave marker for Sgt Reckless. I will find out more.
The post “SGT RECKLESS, AMERICA’S WAR HORSE” (THE BOOK) was sitting on my doorstep! Tons of never before seen pics, stories of how the Marine’s loved the little mare, her favorite troopers and her foals…! appeared first on Horse and Man.
HORSE AND MAN is a blog in growth… if you like this, please pass it around!
Your purchase with R.W. through this link helps the Bucket Fund!
When you shop @AmazonSmile, Amazon will make a donation to Horse And Man Inc.
Supporting The Bucket Fund through Amazon Smile is HUGE for the horses. Please choose HORSE AND MAN when you make your Amazon purchase through this link. THANK YOU!
Filed under: Riding Tips
Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!