Sgt. Reckless: America's War Horse

by Robin Hutton

  Reckless enters the Bohemian Club’s Cartoon Room in style. James Taggert

  PART III

  LIFE AT CAMP PENDLETON

  We had Reckless make her mark in the guest book—and if it hadn’t been for Lieutenant Pedersen, she would have eaten the pen.

  —Major General John T. Selden, USMC Commanding General, Camp Pendleton

  CHAPTER 11

  HOME, SWEET HOME

  It is suggested her “court” be in the vicinity of the commanding general’s quarters and properly marked with appropriate signs, so that all will know this is to be the home of Sergeant Reckless, Pride of the Marines.

  —Andrew Geer

  After her San Francisco triumphs, fanfare followed Reckless all the way to Camp Pendleton, five hundred miles south. On arrival, Reckless was greeted by no less than the base boss, Major General John T. Selden, who wrote:

  I was at the main entrance to meet Sergeant Reckless. She is every bit as beautiful and well trained as I had been told. Although she joined the Division after I had turned over command to Al Pollock, I have heard from many Marines about her valiant service in Korea. It was with pride I welcomed her to Camp Pendleton.

  After she met the guard, we drove to the Ranch House where she met Mrs. Selden. It was a case of love at first sight for both. We had Reckless make her mark in the guest book—and if it hadn’t been for Lieutenant Pedersen, she would have eaten the pen.

  As for her future, I can assure that there are 25,000 Marines on this base who are determined she will want for nothing—ever. When the 1st Marine Division returns from Korea, that number will be doubled. Need I say more?1

  Reckless arrives at her new home, Camp Pendleton. Command Museum, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego

  “Marine sentries pay honor to the heroic Sgt. Reckless, held by owner 1stLt Eric T Pedersen, as she returns to her home base, Camp Pendleton.” Original photo caption. USMC History Division, Quantico, VA

  Maj. Gen. John T. Selden greets Lt. Eric Pedersen and Reckless. Command Museum, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego

  “Sgt Reckless signs guest log on her visit to the historic Ranch House, quarters of Base Commanding General, MajGen John T Selden, accompanied by her owner, 1st Lt Eric T Pedersen.” Original photo caption. USMC History Division, Quantico, VA

  Hangin’ with the Pedersens

  While the Marine Corps waited for the results of the USDA blood tests performed on Reckless, she was “quarantined” at Pedersen’s five-acre ranch in Vista, California, a short drive from the base. The Pedersen children had apparently never heard about the no-riding-Reckless rule, because while she was there, according to Pedersen’s son Eric Jr., the children rode her as they did the other horses on their ranch.

  Reckless was with the Pedersens for just over a year before she was officially sold to the 1st Marine Division, then transferred to the base stables. The family loved her as one of their own—so parting with their heroic houseguest was not easy.

  How to Handle a Heroine

  Reckless was never just another horse put out to pasture when she took up permanent residence at Pendleton. In a letter to Lieutenant General Pate on November 19, 1954, Colonel Geer emphatically declared that because Reckless was no ordinary horse, she deserved special care and consideration at the base:

  “She should have a large and luxurious box stall constructed for living quarters. Her pasture should be commodious and watered to provide the best grass. It is suggested her ‘court’ be in the vicinity of the commanding general’s quarters and properly marked with appropriate sign [sic], so that all will know this is to be the home of Sergeant Reckless, Pride of the Marines.

  “Never should she be ridden by oversized, leaden-seated, heavy-handed cowboy types, nor should she ever be considered one of the post stable horses.”2

  The colonel also noted Reckless’s weakened left hip, the result of being hit by a jeep in Korea, adding that “overwork will bring on lameness.” Geer, who sounded like an overanxious father delivering his teenaged daughter for her freshman year of college, wasn’t finished:

  “She should never be ridden by anyone weighing in excess of 130 pounds, and then only enough for exercise and light training. Every six months, she should have a thorough physical examination. She likes children and is gentle in their presence. Because of her having been savaged by wild Korean dogs, she is committed to the destruction of the canine race and dogs should be kept clear.”3

  (In time, the orders were changed to a directive—that nothing was to be put on her back heavier than her blanket.)

  Instructions for grooming and hoof care also were specific, including a caution about selecting the right blacksmith:

  “Her shoes should be removed and she should be allowed to go barefoot for a period of six weeks. At that time, her feet should be trimmed and new shoes fitted. Only the most knowing and patient horseshoer should be employed. Sergeant Reckless is extremely proud of her feet and will not stand for inexpert attention. Several Korean horseshoers will painfully attest to this statement. She should be groomed each day and her mane and tail, which have become ragged by inexpert clipping and, perhaps, dietary deficiency, should be encouraged by daily brushing. The headquarters duty officer should be directed to inspect her and her quarters in each twenty-four hour period.”4

  And Geer made clear Reckless had earned the right to expect her own preferred delicacies.

  “Reckless came to know and like certain liquids other than water. She is fond of Coca-Cola and milk, even the powdered variety. Under the stress of battle she has been known to drink beer. However, all liquids should be served in a common variety water glass. When drinking from [a] bottle, she has been known to bite off the top and this could prove injurious.

  “Cola in limited amounts (no more than two or three glasses a week) could be provided. Of milk she should have all she and the budget will stand. As a change from her usual ration of grain and alfalfa, she can be served an occasional plate of scrambled eggs, lightly salted and without pepper. She also relishes carrots, apples, sugar and kimchi, although it is unlikely this latter food will be found in Southern California. . . .

  “Reckless will not take salt from a lick. It must be placed in her grain or on her eggs and never too much at one time.”5

  Reckless was quite the celebrity when she finally settled in at the Marine base. In fact, her fame had been building since her grand arrival in San Francisco a year earlier. Reckless might have captured an even bigger slice of the public’s imagination. But she never did make it onto Ed Sullivan’s variety show, even though he pursued her tenaciously in 1954 and the next year for his Marine Corps anniversary shows.

  In a letter to Marine Corps Commandant Lemuel C. Shepherd Jr., Geer laid out suggestions for handling Reckless’s celebrity.

  To begin, Geer reported, there was no shortage of offers attempting to capitalize on Reckless’s good name. Among them: a “Wild West show,” which wanted to feature her; some television producers envisioned building a series around her; and “a stock-feed company asked for an endorsement.”

  (Evidently when offered a taste of the feed, Reckless nibbled at it for a moment, then turned away. As Sergeant Lively put it, “She’ll never go for that kind of chow unless they mix a lot of cake or peanut butter with it.”6)

  Colonel Geer then laid out strict requirements for Reckless’s personal appearances. Never should she appear on a program that was not dignified, nor one that might appear to compromise her integrity as a war heroine. Endorsing alcoholic beverages was out of the question, although she could back other products (feed, milk, etc.), assuming she actually liked the product and that it had a good reputation.

  Reckless would appear without charge to certain charities, such as Navy Relief, the March of Dimes, and the American-Korean Foundation.

  Geer was especially concerned about movie and TV offers. “One Hollywood producer,” he explained, “was ecstatic over the idea of having Reckless do a talking-mule type of ro
utine, à la Francis. Such antics may be all right for the Army, but there is as much difference between Sergeant Reckless and Francis as there is between a horse and a mule. After all, one is a Hollywood clown and the other a gallant Marine who won honors in one of the bloodiest battles fought by American troops.”7

  A television producer also had approached Geer, hoping to star Reckless in a twenty-six-episode series in which the producer’s company stood to make a considerable profit.

  When Geer asked how much the producer would donate to the Marine Fund, he was told, “Nothing.” Geer curtly informed the producer, “This was the exact amount of footage he would be allowed to shoot.”8

  Because Reckless was such a hot commodity, Geer proposed a $1,000 fee for personal appearances or product endorsements, in part to weed out hucksters and others whose offers were less than serious.

  In a letter to General Pate, Geer mentioned that his new book about Reckless would bring television and movie offers and that he saw no reason why she should not play herself in any production.

  “Life in Hollywood, over an extended period,” Geer summed up, “is not recommended, but it is possible she would find a few weeks interesting and profitable.”9

  Regulations over her public appearances were drawn up and approved by General Pate. They included Geer’s suggestion that if Reckless assisted recognized charities like the Red Cross or Navy Relief, or any effort to benefit the Korean people, she would do it free of charge. Appearances for commercial ventures would be carefully screened and any monies earned would go to the 1st Marine Division Association Fund, “devoted to the care and education of children of Marines killed in Korea.”10

  “Sergeant Reckless of Korean fame, stands at attention for the inspection of the public, during the Carlsbad, California Spring Holiday celebration. Handling Reckless is Private Walter R. Wilson, of Peoria, Illinois who is going thro[u]gh training . . . His parents are Mr. and Mrs. W. R. Wilson of RR #1 of Bellflower, Illinois.” Original photo caption. USMC History Division, Quantico, VA

  Star of Parades

  In May 1955, Reckless was featured in two local parades. On May 7, there was a large Spring Holiday Parade in Carlsbad, California, and two weeks later an Armed Services Parade in nearby Vista. Thousands turned out at each event to catch a glimpse of their heroine, Sergeant Reckless.

  October 1955—a Big Month for the Little Lady

  In early October 1955, Andy Geer’s book, Reckless: Pride of the Marines, was published by E. P. Dutton & Company. New York Times book critic David Dempsey was “disappointed” that Geer abandoned Kim Huk Moon halfway through the story—after Kim sold Reckless to the Marines. Especially since Geer had “skillfully constructed a moving story of Korean life.” Overall, however, Dempsey praised the book, acknowledging Reckless as the “great morale builder she was, with her ample girth and gregarious manners” and noting that in retirement at the Marine base, “far from fading away, she is just coming into her glory. Camp Pendleton is not far from Hollywood.”11

  On October 23, 1955, the Associated Press named Geer their “Author of the Week.” Many reviewers echoed the sentiments of a critic with the Pasadena Independent, who called the book “a touching and inspiring story” that would “likely move adults as well as children.”12 Geer donated all of his book royalties to the First Marine Division Association Scholarship Fund.13

  The Duke Takes Notice

  In late October 1955, a second feature article in the Saturday Evening Post revealed interest from a Hollywood legend in Reckless’s story. According to the Post, John Wayne and his Batjac Productions were in talks with Geer and work was underway on a screenplay for a semi-documentary picture called The Outpost.

  It would focus on the titanic outpost battles in Korea and feature Reckless playing herself during the dramatic climax of the Marine counterattack on Outpost Vegas. “She’ll probably steal every scene she’s in,” Wayne was quoted as saying.14 The film, however, was never produced.

  The final paragraph of the Post story promoted Geer’s book, cheerfully predicting great things for the book’s subject, the newly retired Marine sergeant Reckless: “Never again will she be asked to carry 75 mm ammunition into the caldron of enemy fire unless it is in a Hollywood battle scene, where, of course, she will have star billing and salary.”15

  Art Linkletter’s in the House

  On October 25, 1955, Reckless and now-Captain Eric Pedersen appeared on CBS television’s Art Linkletter’s House Party to boost interest in the story that appeared in the October 22 issue of The Saturday Evening Post, according to a letter from John Thackaberry, supervisor of west coast publicity for Curtis Circulation Company, the magazine’s publisher.

  Sadly it appears this episode has not survived.

  Emancipation Proclamation Doesn’t Apply

  On November 23, 1955, the long-discussed sale of the Marines’ most decorated four-legged ammunitions transport expert was finalized. Reckless officially became the property of the First Marine Division Association when Captain Eric Pedersen accepted one dollar for her.

  Reckless didn’t have a bit of stage fright when she appeared on the Art Linkletter show in season four, episode thirty-seven. Command Museum, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego

  “As the property of the Association . . . the blaze-faced mare will make public appearances for which the Association will receive donations for its scholarship fund. The fund provides for children of deceased Division Marines.”16

  While now the Association’s property, it was actually the 5th Marines who cared for her—and their commander quickly laid down some Reckless rules:

  “Other than participation in an event which would not ‘reflect unquestioned credit on the Marine Corps,’” declared Colonel James S. Blais, “the principal taboo is permitting a dog to approach the combat veteran . . . the little mare is understandably dedicated to the elimination of all canines, the sooner the better.”17

  At the time, there were rumors of an “‘heir of expectancy’ surrounding the Korean-born mare.”18 The talk was that Reckless was with foal, and per the bill of sale, the first foal was to be the property of Captain Eric Pedersen. The rumors, however, were unfounded; Reckless was not pregnant.

  “HORSE TRADERS—Col James S Blais (center), 5th Regiment commander, hands Capt E. T. Pedersen a $1 check as a token sale price for Sgt Reckless. Capt Pedersen bought the mare in Korea, later used her to transport artillery shells over bitterly-contested terrain. Reckless is now the property of the 1st Marine Division Association. At left is Col J. T. Wilbur, holding a painting donated by a Reckless fan for presentation to Col Blais.” Original photo caption. USMC History Division, Quantico, VA

  After the transfer, Reckless made one last trip from the Pedersen Ranch to stables at Santa Margarita, home of the 5th Marines at Camp Pendleton. These stables were just to the west of the Santa Margarita Ranch House (now on the National Register of Historical Sites) between the house and Basilone Road where the base commander and his wife lived. A few years later she was moved to the base stables, where she lived out her days and is now buried.

  How to Handle a Hero

  PFC Art Sickler from Dickinson, North Dakota, was her handler from the fall of 1956 to 1958.

  “I drove jeep for Colonel Schmuck,” Sickler recalled, “and that’s where my story leads to about how I got the job taking care of Reckless.”

  Sickler remembered being called into the colonel’s office. “I was shaking in my boots because he was a tough guy. I thought he was going to chew me out for a fence I just put up. And instead, he wanted to know what I knew about horses.” Relieved, Sickler told him he had been around horses his whole life—that he had been plopped atop a horse before he could walk and had trained many horses on the family farm.

  The colonel was convinced he had the right guy. “I got a job for you, Sickler,” Colonel Schmuck told him. “I got this special horse that we brought back from Korea and you’re totally responsible for her.”

 
; “I didn’t know anything about Reckless at that time,” Sickler recalled, “but the next day I went out to the stables to see the horse I was supposed to take care of. And I see a very fatigued horse; she was very sad looking, she was tired looking. She was combat fatigued. . . . So I got a veterinarian to check her over, because Colonel Schmuck made it very clear to me that, ‘You better do what you think you’ve got to do for that horse,’ and added, ‘If you need a vet, we’ll furnish you a vet.’”

  So Sickler got a vet to look her over. “We checked her teeth and got her teeth filed down, because horses develop such points on their teeth. . . .

  “So I had her teeth done, and I know she hadn’t been dewormed—and that probably was the biggest problem, or one of the problems, for looking the way she did because horses need to be dewormed at the minimum two times a year and I know she needed it.

  “As I started working with her, we became really attached to each other. She was looking for a friend. And, you know, I had that horse looking happy within a month; you couldn’t recognize that horse—her coat started shining and she was just a whole different ‘horsenality’—after about a month.”

  Colonel Schmuck kept close tabs on Reckless, for whom he was genuinely worried. “I don’t know what his connection was with Reckless in Korea,” Sickler said, “but he was really concerned about the horse and her condition—and we fixed that up. He couldn’t believe that within a month, five weeks, how we changed her. Her coat was shiny, her feet were good; I just trimmed her up and so she looked very healthy.”

  As they started using Reckless as a mascot, orders were issued that she was never to pack more than forty pounds at any one time. “I took that responsibility really seriously,” Sickler said, “she drew so much attention.”

  But what Sickler really noticed was how Reckless began to more than trust him—she began to rely on the PFC for her safety. “Some of the troops there would tease her a little and right away, she’d be looking for me for protection. And she didn’t like to be harassed, and you’d get these guys kind of pestering her and she’d pin her ears and show her teeth a little bit and look around to see where I was. And when I’d go out there she’d just quiet down right away.