Sgt. Reckless: America's War Horse [B1081]

2015 PB. "In Sgt. Reckless: America's War Horse, Robin Hutton has masterfully crafted the definitive story of Reckless, the great little Korean mare who so boldly served alongside Marines of the Recoilless Rifle Platoon, 5th Marine Regiment, in the Korean War carrying ammunition under enemy fire. Hutton has shared Reckless with the world, ensuring her bravery will never be forgotten."-Colonel Walt Ford, USMC (Ret.)

She wasn't a horse-she was a Marine. She might not have been much to look at-a small "Mongolian mare," they called her-but she came from racing stock, and had the blood of a champion. Much more than that, Reckless became a war hero-in fact, she became a combat Marine, earning staff sergeant's stripes before her retirement to Camp Pendleton. This once famous horse, recognized as late as 1997 by Life Magazine as one of America's greatest heroes-the greatest war horse in American history, in fact-has unfortunately now been largely forgotten. But author Robin Hutton is set to change all that. Not only has she been the force behind recognizing Reckless with a monument at the National Museum of the Marine Corps and at Camp Pendleton, but she has now recorded the full story of this four-legged war hero who hauled ammunition to embattled Marines and inspired them with her relentless, and reckless, courage.

From recent Amazon/GoodReads reviews: "An all-around incredible story. It had me laughing out loud from her antics, welling up from the heartbreak, and ultimately inspired."; "Hutton has done an incredible feat finding all the small details that makes this book truly an extraordinary read. On top of it all, it is written in a clear language, filled with just the right amount of the right details, moving the story quickly forward at the exact perfect pace. The different voice, the different perspectives, the incredible characters simply show up and are painted with just a few details, a few quotes and they jump at you in full color."