An appropriately patriot story to start with I think about a dyed in the wool American hero.
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These photos are the Staff Sergeant Reckless warhorse memorial. For the unaware Staff Sergeant Reckless (her actual, official Marine Corps rank) served with the 5th Marines during the Korean War, this highly decorated and intelligent warhorse repeatedly exposed herself (willingly, with no urging by a handler) to enemy fire both to carry ammunition and supplies from the ammunition dump in the rear to the firing lines, to evacuate Marine casualties and to protect Marines under fire. Reckless's regular route between the supply point and the line during the ferocious battle for Outpost Vegas (March '53) left her completely exposed to enemy fire, despite this Reckless moved over 5 tons of ammunition and other supplies to the front and completed the majority of her trips alone. Staff Sergeant Reckless returned with her unit to Camp Pendleton after the war and officially retired in 1960. Reckless passed on to her final duty station May 13th, 1963 and was buried with full military honors aboard Camp Pendleton. She was survived by three foals, Dauntless, Fearless and Chesty. No word on if they were as decorated and bad ass as their mom. SSgt Reckless's Military Decorations include two Purple Hearts, Good Conduct Medal, Presidential Unit Citation with star, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Navy Unit Commendation, and Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, and the French Fourragere that the 5th Marines earned in WW1 and is worn by all Marines of that unit to this day. The SSgt Reckless memorial (she is called "Sergeant" Reckless in some media, but those people are frankly pillocks) is due to be dedicated this 26 July, 2013 with a ceremony presided over by Commandant of the Marine Corps General Amos at the National Marine Corps Museum in Quantico, Virginia.