[Korea Root] The Born Warhorse 'Reckless'

US Marine Corps' Fierce Action in 'Nevada Outpost Battle'
'Vegas Hill Battle'... Carried Out 4-Ton Ammunition Supply and Evacuation of Wounded Soldiers Mission

[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] Our land holds history, and each season and region carries memories and culture. This publication has planned 'Korea Route' to discover lesser-known and hidden stories from all over the country and to introduce the beautiful landscapes, small histories, and cultures of the Korean Peninsula, serialized every weekend.

The first story commemorates the 71st anniversary of the June 25 War this year, honoring the spirit of war heroes and developing it into a village cultural project in Baekhak Village, Yeoncheon-gun, Gyeonggi Province, revealing lesser-known details.

In Yeoncheon’s history preserved on the Korean Peninsula, there is a village that inherits the spirit of national defense heroes. Baekhak Village in Yeoncheon-gun holds stories of brave heroes who played active roles during the June 25 War.

The 'Supply Hero' who roamed the battlefield with just a jige (traditional Korean carrying frame), nicknamed the 'Jige Unit,' and especially the racehorse born in Jeju Island, 'Reckless,' assigned to the U.S. Marine Corps, participated in the Nevada Outpost Battle of the Korean War and earned distinguished honors as a War Horse.

The cinematic story of 'Reckless,' selected as one of America’s top 100 heroes, unfolds. [Editor’s note]

◈ Series Order

① The Korean horse selected as one of America’s top 100 heroes

② The born military horse 'Reckless'

③ Fifty years after

Reckless [SGT.RECKLESS], who played an active role in the Battle of Vegas Outpost during the Korean War.

② The born military horse 'Reckless'

■ War Situation

According to the 'History of the Korean War (Ministry of National Defense War History Compilation Committee)' and '1129 Days of the June 25 War (by Lee Joong-geun),' in the spring of 1953, the U.S. Department of Defense mobilized over 20,000 troops from the Army, Navy, and Air Force in Nevada and announced plans for an atomic bomb test. On March 5, Soviet leader Stalin suddenly died of a cerebral hemorrhage, accelerating the end of the war and focusing on the armistice agreement. However, domestic protests and mass rallies opposing the armistice were held daily.

On the night of March 26, 1953, the 1006th day since the war began, the Chinese Communist forces launched a surprise attack, capturing the U.S. outposts Vegas and Reno. The U.S. forces counterattacked immediately but failed to retake Reno, eventually deciding to focus on recapturing Vegas. The 'Nevada Outpost Battle (March 26?30, 1953)' was the fiercest battle between U.S. and Chinese forces just before the armistice.

The military horse 'Reckless' was also deployed to the 'Nevada Outpost Battle' as part of the recoilless rifle platoon of the 5th Regiment, 1st Marine Division of the U.S. Marine Corps.

■ The racehorse enlists in the 'U.S. Marine Corps'

Sergeant Joseph Rassum, who was in charge of Reckless training, and Reckless [SGT.RECKLESS]

In 1928, horse racing officially began at Sinseoldong Seoul Racecourse. After liberation, Seoul Racecourse enjoyed explosive popularity with over 4,000 visitors daily. It was the only mass entertainment at the time. On race days, prominent figures such as U.S. Military Governor General John Hodge and President Syngman Rhee frequently visited, and Baekbeom Kim Gu almost never missed the racecourse on weekends.

However, with the outbreak of the June 25 War, Korean horse racing was devastated amid the brutal war. Horses and staff scattered. The history of Seoul Racecourse disappeared due to the war.

'Reckless' was a small mare born in July 1949 in Jeju, named 'Achimhae' (Morning Sun), standing 142 cm tall and weighing 410 kg, who had been active as a racehorse at Seoul Racecourse.

Geum Gahyeon, general manager of the Reckless Cooperative, said, "Achimhae was raised by a boy named Kim Hyuk-moon (17 years old), who lost his father in a landmine accident while pulling a cart during evacuation. Hyuk-moon met U.S. Marine Lieutenant Eric Pedersen by chance during the continuous evacuation with his younger sister Jeong-soon, who had severely injured her leg in the landmine accident. Needing money for his sister’s prosthetic leg, Hyuk-moon sold 'Achimhae' to Lieutenant Pedersen for $250 (about 4 million KRW in today’s value)."

During the June 25 War, U.S. forces struggled in Korea’s rugged mountainous terrain. Lieutenant Pedersen’s unit needed an animal capable of carrying multiple 11 kg recoilless rifle shells up mountain paths. Records say Hyuk-moon wept for a long time upon hearing that his beloved horse had to go to the battlefield.

'Achimhae' was sold to Lieutenant Pedersen for $250 and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. The horse was estimated to be three years old at the time.

■ Reckless roams the 'battlefield under fire'

Reckless and U.S. Marines [SGT.RECKLESS]

The battle fought by troops mobilized in Nevada who participated in the Korean War against enemy forces is called the 'Nevada Outpost Battle.' The 'Nevada Outposts' refer to the three outposts Vegas, Reno, and Carson located in Maehyeon-ri, Baekhak-myeon, Yeoncheon-gun, Gyeonggi Province. Another strategic hotspot in Yeoncheon-gun, the 'Hook Hill Battle (Samicheon Battle),' is also famous.

General Manager Geum said, "Maehyeon-ri, Baekhak-myeon, Yeoncheon-gun is currently where the armistice line and the 38th parallel intersect. The Reno, Carson, and Vegas outposts marked on the war map are located along the Military Demarcation Line. To the west is the road to Kaesong, adjacent to the infiltration route of Kim Shin-jo during the January 21 Incident, and the Seonggeosan ridge behind the tomb of King Gyeongsun is near the southern limit line. To the east flows the Samicheon River from north to south, adjacent to Hook Hill, where the fiercest hill battles took place."

According to the 'SGT. RECKLESS' records, 'Achimhae' was trained as an ammunition carrier in the recoilless rifle platoon of the 5th Regiment, 1st Marine Division. Agile, intelligent, and brave, comrades named her 'Reckless.' Reckless performed the work of about ten ordinary soldiers in mountainous terrain.

Reckless [SGT.RECKLESS] on duty with US Marines

Deployed to the battlefield, Reckless participated in the five-day 'Battle for Outpost Vegas' in March 1953, the last battle between U.S. and Chinese forces near the end of the June 25 War. She alone traversed steep mountain paths totaling 56 km 51 times, carrying 386 shells in loads of 4 to 8 shells at a time. She transported over 4 tons of shells, accounting for 95% of the ammunition used that day, through a battlefield showered with bullets and shrapnel.

Reckless was wounded twice in battle, with injuries above her left eye from shell fragments and a torn left flank. However, after treatment, she returned to duty and even helped evacuate wounded soldiers to safety. Marines protected Reckless by removing their own bulletproof vests to shield her.

What is even more remarkable is that Reckless performed all these missions without a rider controlling her amid the heavy fire. Unlike other horses, after accompanying a person once or twice, she learned the routes and thereafter delivered supplies alone. She was trained to avoid obstacles like barbed wire and to lie down when shells exploded.

US Marine and Reckless [SGT.RECKLESS]

Korean War veteran Howard E. Wordley testified, "Reckless was our lifeline for ammunition support," and "In the battlefield filled with tremendous noise and shaking, she endured without fear."

Sergeant Babbit said, "Seeing 'Achimhae,' a dark brown horse with a white face, carrying life-saving shells through gunfire inspired everyone and boosted morale, becoming the driving force to annihilate the enemy."

Besides transporting shells and wounded soldiers, Reckless also carried communication lines heavy enough for 12 soldiers, assisting in laying communication lines, and sometimes served as a shield for comrades under heavy gunfire.

After fierce fighting, U.S. forces recaptured the 'Vegas Outpost' and defended it against repeated counterattacks for several days. Estimated Chinese casualties were about 1,300, while U.S. forces suffered 118 killed, 800 wounded, and 98 missing.