Staff Sgt. Reckless was a Marine in an anti-tank company with the 5th Marines during the Korean War. She served in a few battles as an ammo carrier and evacuated wounded troops when necessary.
In the Battle of Outpost Vegas in early 1953, Reckless carried rounds for three days straight, 51 solo trips, moving 386 rounds and traveling 35 miles despite suffering two wounds on the fiercest day of fighting. The first injury occurred when a piece of shrapnel struck her above her eye and the second was a cut to her flank.
She received multiple medals for valor to include 2 Purple Hearts and the Dickin Medal.
While in country, she was allowed to roam freely through camp, entering the Marines' tents, where she would sleep on cold nights, and was known for her willingness to eat nearly anything, including scrambled eggs, beer, Coca-Cola and, once, about $30 worth of poker chips.
The Marines taught Reckless battlefield survival skills such as how not to become entangled in barbed wire and to lie down when under fire. She learned to run for a bunker upon hearing the cry, "incoming!" She also became the first horse in the Marine Corps known to have participated in an amphibious landing.
She survived the war, received an honorable discharge and lived like a superstar back in the States until her death in 1968. #warhorse #reckless #zerofoxtrot #stayzero #marines