05/22/2026
Sgt. Reckless wasn’t a typical Marine. This small but fearless war horse became a legend during the Korean War.
Reckless was trained to carry heavy am******on across some of the most dangerous terrain on the battlefield. She proved her courage almost immediately, adapting to the chaos of combat and learning supply routes so well, she could travel them alone. Her most remarkable moment came during the Battle of Outpost Vegas in March 1953, where she made 51 solo trips in a single day, carrying more than 9,000 pounds of am******on in total across 35 miles of dangerous ground. Despite being wounded twice by enemy fire, she never stopped, continuing her mission to support the Marines who depended on her.
For her extraordinary service, Sergeant Reckless was awarded two Purple Hearts and numerous other honors, including the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal.
A 1962 executive order from President John F. Kennedy officially excluded military animals from receiving the Purple Heart, but Sgt. Reckless reminds us that heroism comes in many forms.
