Sergeant Reckless: The True Story of the Little Horse Who Became a Hero

During the Korean War, U.S. Marines needed mules and packhorses to haul supplies. But finding such animals in the devastated countryside was difficult. One desperate lieutenant made what turned out to be a smart purchase--a scrawny, skittish racehorse--and had her trained to follow trails, carry a packsaddle, and stay calm in the face of danger. In a straightforward text, McCormick describes the training, feeding (eggs, coffee, Coca-Cola, and whatever else could be found), and notable accomplishments of "Private Reckless," including the distinction she earned on a single day by making fifty-one trips totaling thirty-five miles over hilly terrain and carrying nine thousand pounds of ammunition. Collages of faded newspaper facsimiles on the initial endpapers signal the setting of a war long ago and far away. Interior art (in a palette of predominantly greens and browns) employs replicas of historical artifacts, such as photographs and tins of C-rations, to further set the scene. Bruno depicts a tense combat scene with straight lines and sharp corners; the angles soften as the horse, who later became known as Sergeant Reckless, mingles with the troops at base camp, comically eating most everything in sight. Occasionally, Reckless or the men will break the fourth narrative wall and look directly at the audience, either as a mischievous nod to Reckless's antics or to emphasize danger. An author's note and a brief bibliography append this engaging historical anecdote. betty carter