Sgt Reckless
by Carol Lynn Coronios
Title
Sgt Reckless
Artist
Carol Lynn Coronios
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
Sgt. Reckless was a Korean racehorse, whose young owner sold her to a USMC Lt. Pedersen for enough money ($250) to purchase a prosthetic leg for his sister.
Her name does not reflect her character. It is a shortening of 'recoilless' - as in 'recoilless rifles' - the main weapon in her company. This mare was accepted as a valuable member of her company, and shared their beer, chocolate bars, and poker games. She also shared their danger.
She provided a shield for front-line Marines, lying down in front of them; and she carried the wounded to safety.
In late March 1953, during the five-day battle of Outpost Vegas, this mare made 51 round-trips in one day (most of them by herself) from the ammunition supply point to the firing sites. She carried 386 rounds of ammunition, totaling over 9000 pounds, and walked over 35 miles through enemy fire - through rice paddies and up the steep Korean mountains.
Wounded twice herself, her military decorations include: two Purple Hearts, the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Commendation, National Defense Service Medal, UN Service Medal-Korea, Korean Service Medal with 3 stars, and the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation.
When the Korean War ended and the Marines came home, pressure was applied to leave NONE of their own behind. SSgt Reckless spent the rest of her life at Camp Pendleton, CA, where she was buried in 1968.
When Robin Hutton learned this extraordinary Marine's story, she knew it had to be shared. With the help of Korean veterans and their families, enough money was raised to commission Jocelyn Russell to create this larger-than-life commemorative statue for this larger-than-life hero. Jocelyn and Robin took extreme care to create a statue that was correct in every way. Marines who served with her provided bits of rope and detailed pictures or memories of her tack and the equipment she carried.
In July 2013, the statue was delivered to the USMC Museum in Triangle, VA (thank you, FedEx, for donating your service for this worthy Marine).
The statue was unveiled on July 26, 2013. Survivors in her company, families of others who had served with her, and about 80 members of the Sgt. Reckless Fan Club joined Robin, Jocelyn, and USMC Commandant Amos, and hundreds of others at the museum to dedicate this statue.
Semper fi, SSgt Reckless.
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March 23rd, 2014
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Comments (20)
Carol Lynn Coronios
A heartfelt 'Thank you' to the buyer in Spring Dale, WV for your purchase of a Sgt Reckless print! I hope you have the opportunity to read on of the books about her. Robin Hutton's is excellent and extends her story to the current. Andrew Geer's older book provided much information for Robin's book, as Sgt Reckless served under his command for a while.
Gull G
Art is as natural as sunshine and as vital as nourishment. π πΈπ πΈ Congratulations on your recent sale
Carol Lynn Coronios
Update May 2016: A second statue of Sgt Reckless has been commemorated at Camp Pendleton, where she lived out her life. And at this moment, Robin & Jocelyn are in Korea, discussing placement of a third statue there, where she began her life and served her adopted country so valiantly. http://www.sgtreckless.com/Reckless/Welcome.html
Carol Lynn Coronios
Joaquin and Caitlyn, thank you for your compliments. Sgt Reckless's story is one-of-a-kind and the love, honor, and respect that went into the statue to commemorate her service is heartwarming.
Howard Tenke
Horses and dogs in combat always give selflessly of themselves. The story of this fine animal is yet another fantastic example of that. Thank you Sgt Reckless
Carol Lynn Coronios
An amazing story, Shannon. It was such an honor to attend the dedication of her statue - and meet a couple of the men who served with her. Did you buy Robin Hutton's book (just released)? Or a couple of the older ones? I have read Andrew Geer's Reckless Pride of the Marines, and I have Robin's on my Kindle, but haven't read it yet. I really want to get that hard cover, too - so she can autograph it!
Shannon Story
Love this! I bought two books about Reckless, but haven't read them yet. But have gotten on the web and read some articles about her. A wonderful horse.
Carol Lynn Coronios
Thank you to the art collector from Rancho Santa Fe, CA! I know you will cherish your canvass of this amazing war heroine! Would love to know if you have a connection with her. Best wishes!
Gayle Goddard Taylor
What a compelling story! I would love to read the book.
Carol Lynn Coronios replied:
Gayle, it is truly an amazing story. There are a few books about her - I know they're available through Amazon. And Robin's will be out hopefully in time for Christmas. Check out the Sgt Reckless FB page, too.
Michelle Twohig
Omigosh...beautiful...her story made me cry. Have you posted this image and story to the various equine therapy programs for veterans on Facebook? Fundraising potential, for sure.
Carol Lynn Coronios replied:
Oooh - what a BRILLIANT idea! If you think you cried at that brief description, you should read the books. AND have been at the dedication ceremony. The daughter of one of the men who handled her was there...And one or two vets who were in her company. It was very moving.
Al Bourassa
Great story of a courageous horse. V/L/F
Carol Lynn Coronios replied:
Yes, Al, it is. And what I told is only a small part. For those of us with fathers who served in Korea, it is even more poignant.
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