I know for a fact that I’m not the only person rooting for a certain period-piece movie to be honored by the Motion Picture Association of America. Warhorse, the film by Stephen Spielberg, adopted from the novel penned by Michael Morpurgo (who also got a screen play credit), is getting rave reviews, and why not? It’s a sweeping, Lawrence of Arabia-esque epic, with engaging characters, vivid action and a compelling story line. But did you know there was a real-life “Joey”? And her story is every bit as powerful and stirring as what is currently on the silver screen, albeit not as well known. Curious? Put yourself into an extended trot, and follow me over yonder elegant squiggle.
Update: Rec(kless) List! Hot Diggity ya'll and shout out to all our veterans, no matter how many feet they have!
Warning! This is a PWB Diary. If that puts a knot in your tail, feel free to execute a prompt and elegant about-face. You may consider that directive in nature.
This story dates from the Korean War. While there may be an impression (created solely by Hollywood), that American Forces after World War I were entirely mechanized, such was not the case. There were simply some terrains were four-wheel drive could not hold a candle to four-footed drive. The Korean Peninsula was one such area.
I must digress here to explain why pack animals were necessary during this action. The Recoilless Rifle had been developed prior to WWI, and by the time of the Korean Conflict, perfected into a deadly 75 mm tank-killer. Each round weighed approximately 24 pounds. An average infantryman could carry one to three rounds. During intense fighting, too much time would be wasted and too many troops exposed to artillery and withering rifle-fire to re-stock the ammunition. Using horses, donkeys or mules to carry the ammunition was a time/cost/life saving Trifecta.
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Enter Lt. Eric Pedersen, commander of the Recoilless Rifle Platoon, Antitank Company, Fifth Marine Regiment. It was Pedersen’s idea to add a pack animal to the company roster. After obtaining permission from his C.O., Pedersen headed to the Seoul Race Track. There he laid eyes on a small, chestnut mare. (If you want to know what a chestnut horse looks like, see my earlier diary, “Color My World” available at http://www.dailykos.com/...(Pootie-Diary)?via=blog_627760). Perhaps Pedersen was drawn to the little horse after her owner told him her name, Ah-Chim-Hai translated to “Flame of the Morning”. In any case, a reluctant bargain ($250.00 of Pedersen’s own money) was made and the little horse was transported to base camp. That night, “Reckless” – after the nickname of the company – was born.
Home:
Reckless’ training was the responsibility of First Class Monroe Coleman and Platoon Sergeant Joseph Latham . Both were experienced horsemen, but the Marines had not planned to have an equine in the TOE (Table of Equipment). They jury-rigged a stall and pasture arrangement to make their new charge as comfortable as possible. Reckless’ first dinner at her new home was a loaf of bread and raw oats. Soon, the Quartermaster did arrange proper fodder for her, but not to worry. It turned out that Reckless lived up to her name when it came to food. Her favorite snack was scrambled eggs, and the vet had to warn her handlers not to give her more than one Coca-Cola per day. She was also known to knock back a brewski with the boys now and again. (Horses cannot burp, so this was extremely dangerous!) She became a true Marine – eat anything, drink everything – and according to at least one account, don’t leave your poker chips unguarded. She ate at least $30.00 worth one night.
Training:
PFC Coleman and Sgt. Latham had to train Reckless to maneuver herself onto a small trailer (36” x 72”), no small feat when you have, well more than 2 feet. In addition, she was taught to take cover and to step carefully (very carefully!) over trip wires and how to take cover.
The Battle of Out Post Vegas, March 1953
Twenty-eight tons of munitions were expended on that day, one of the most ferocious battles ever seen by a Marine Unit. And in the middle of it, daintily picking her way up a 45-degree slope was that little chestnut mare, her white-blazed face plainly visible even through the heavy smoke. Remarkably, Reckless made most of her journeys – a total of 51 - by herself. She would take ammunition up the hill, and return wounded soldiers back to the rear. Think about that for a minute. She traveled an estimated 35 miles without direction from a human being.
Five hundred rounds of artillery per hour for 72 hours. Only two soldiers left that field uninjured. Reckless was wounded twice, but never faltered.
Reckless was retired to Camp Pendleton and promoted to Staff Sergeant by the Commandant of the Marine Corps. In her retirement ceremony, the camp commander issued orders that never again would Reckless carry any more weight than her own blankets. She had three foals, Fearless, Dauntless and Chesty. Reckless' decorations included two Purple Hearts, Good Conduct Medal, Presidential Unit Citation with star, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, and Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, all of which she proudly wore on her scarlet and gold .
So completely does Reckless capture the hearts of her Marine comrades with her beguiling shenanigans and her fearlessness that they present her with a special citation for bravery, promote her to the rank of sergeant and personally pay her way to the United States where she will enjoy well-earned retirement pastured in the rolling hills of Camp Pendleton, in California. Retirement, however, does not mean that her exploits are at an end, because the fame of Reckless has spread far and wide, and good Marines, unlike some, do not fade away. Semper fidelis, always faithful, was never a more fitting motto than in the example of this horse.
--from the dust jacket of Reckless, Pride of the Marines, by Andrew Geer
So there you have it. A little moocher with a great big heart, who never got a movie made about her, but is still proving that courage and integrity are never really forgotten. Semper fi, Ssgt Reckless.
And for the rest of us, always follow a rider’s advice: Sit Back and Hold On!
Coded by BirderWitch
Word clouds by ccmask