The Story of Sgt. Reckless: Pt. II

From the Front Lines to Inchon

Last we left off, the Marines which had held the line at the Nevada Hills, had been redeployed to Inchon for some much-needed R&R and with them, was Reckless. They would remain in Inchon until the cease-fire took effect and the fighting ended.

With the war now “over,” the men of the 5th Marine Regiment were getting ready to head back Stateside, but there was an issue. When the men were planned to go home, there were no such provisions in place for Reckless and the powers that be intended to leave her in Korea. But the Marines did not like this at all and decided that they would bring Reckless back to the U.S. with them.

Operation Bring Reckless Home

After making a few calls, they did eventually find a civilian company that would ship Reckless to the U.S. But the problem was that said company did not have any ships sailing to Korea, they only went as far as Japan. So using some rather questionable means, the Marines were able to smuggle Reckless out of Korea on a Marine Corp cargo plane and get her on the ship in Japan. Where the plan was to meet her in San Francisco and find her a new home.

But when the ship carrying Reckless arrived in San Francisco, U.S. Customs intercepted Reckless before the Marines could and reported her to the Department of Agriculture, who now planned to “destroy” the marine horse because they feared she may be carrying diseases.

But the Marines were not about to let that happen and unfortunately for the Department agent, he soon began to realize that if he said the wrong thing, he would probably end up in San Francisco Bay with more than a few broken bones. So he “agreed” to have Reckless tested to see if she was safe to enter the country. The Marines agreed to this and to make sure this would happen, they decided to stay with Reckless until the results came back. Just to be safe.

Reckless Attends the Marine Corps Ball

But as they waited, they soon found out that there was going to be a Marine Corps Ball and since Reckless was a Marine, they were going to bring her along. So the Marines managed to not only sneak her out of quarantine but across the city and got her into the venue and I must remind you that this actually happened.

While at the Ball, Reckless is proving once again that she really was one of the guys. Drinking beer, eating cake and the flower decorations, as well as giving every marine there an excuse to get completely hammered.

The next morning, Reckless enjoys breakfast and eventually she makes her way to her new home at Camp Pendleton. Where not only would she spend the rest of her life, but also give birth to 4 foals and reach the rank of staff sergeant (E-6). And here is the wild part, this was an actual rank she had and not just ceremonial. Meaning if she nudged a private for his food, they had to give her their food to eat.

A Legacy Remembered

Reckless passed away in 1968 at the ripe old age of 19 (or 20, no one really knows when she was born.) and there are a lot of other interesting stories about her life at Camp Pendleton, but I don’t have the time to talk about all of them. But it is said that a number of Reckless’ descendants are still in the Marines, though they are used for ceremonial duties.

~NC