Sgt. Reckless

America's War Horse

By: Robin Hutton

Narrated by: Susan Boyce

This is the complete and captivating account of how a would-be Korean racehorse became one of the greatest Marine Corps wartime heroes.

Amid an inferno of explosives on a deadly minefield in the Korean War, a four-legged marine proved to be a heroic force of nature. She moved headstrong up and down steep, smoky terrain that no man could travail confidently. In a single day, this small Mongolian mare made fifty-one round-trips carrying nearly five tons of explosives to various gun sites. Sergeant Reckless was her name, and she was the horse renowned for carrying wounded soldiers off the battlefield and making solo trips across combat zones to deliver supplies.

A widely celebrated national hero, Reckless was first featured in 1954 in the Saturday Evening Post and in 1997 when Life magazine published an edition lauding history's one hundred all-time heroes. Equine enthusiast Robin Hutton learned about Sergeant Reckless and spearheaded the effort to commission a monument at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle, Virginia, near the Marine Corps Base Quantico. In July of 2013, the statue was unveiled. A second monument is planned for Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in California, where Reckless lived out her days and is buried.

Hutton has now written a fascinating full biography of Sergeant Reckless, who earned two Purple Hearts for her heroic efforts, among other military decorations. Hutton has spoken with the marines who fought alongside Reckless and tells the complete and captivating tale of how a would-be Korean racehorse became one of the greatest Marine Corps wartime heroes. Sgt. Reckless brings the legend back to life more than half a century later.

©2014 Robin Hutton (P)2014 Blackstone Audio

Wonderful Horse Story and a Great History Lesson a

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

great true story about a real unsung hero that everyone should know and learn about.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Of course its SGT.Reckless herself!!

What does Susan Boyce bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Wonderful story teller

She’s not a horse, she’s a Marine.

This was a very well written and researched account of the life and trials of Sgt. Reckless. The story gives much more historical detail than any other I have read. The included memories and details of the everyday interactions, training and the battle for Vegas, that were recounted by the Marines who served beside Reckless were touching, humorous and horrifying. Even if you have no experience with horses or their behaviors you can’t help but be moved by this animals loyalty and courage.
The book sticks to the facts and doesn’t devolve into anthropomorphism. The author does a good job of including accounts of Marines who were horsemen, who understood the stress that Reckless most certainly underwent and her deep bonds with her human herd.
I recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in military history, the Marine Corps and animal lovers.
I was deeply moved, and agree wholeheartedly with the author; the story of this honorable Marine should never be forgotten.
If you haven’t seen the Sgt. Reckless monument, I urge readers to Google it. The artist did an incredible job with the statue. It’s stunning.

Delightful!

Beautiful story, beautifully written and read. Saw a statue of this amazing mare at WEC in Ocala, FL. Wouldn’t have known of her otherwise—and that would be a shame.

How did I ever miss this?

Thank you, Ms Hutton, for bringing this amazing story to light! Speaking as an animal lover, this is more proof that we are surrounded by angels in more than human form.

loved it

This story is interesting. Some of the details about ammunition went over my head but I didn't feel I missed out one bit because of that. Our daughter is going to LOVE this book.