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A Hero of the Forgotten War Remembered
The courageous war horse Sergeant Reckless
She was a decorated Marine, a combat veteran and a
horse. Now, she’s the star of a new children’s picture book.
Aperture Press is pleased to announce the release of Sergeant
Reckless: Hero War Horse, written by Loren Spiotta-Di-
Mare of Tewksbury Township, New Jersey and illustrated by
Deborah DeShon of South Paris, Maine.
Sergeant Reckless is the true story of an amazing sorrel
horse who served alongside the Marines during the Korean
War. Trained to be a racehorse, Flame was destined to be
a winner, but on the day of her first official race the war began.
Forced to leave Seoul, her owner packed up his family
and his beloved horse fleeing to a safer location. It would
be two years before they were able to return.
During their time away, American troops arrived to help
the South Koreans. Lieutenant Pederson, leader of the 5th
Marine Division Recoilless Rifle Platoon, determined his men
needed a pack horse to carry heavy ammunition up a
steep mountain to the rifle station and to bring wounded
Marines back down to safety. (The Recoilless Rifle has a
huge, back blast. The men in the unit referred to it as the
Reckless Rifle.)
Lieutenant Pederson discovered Flame at the Seoul
racetrack. He instinctively knew she was the right horse for
the important job that lay ahead. His men renamed her
Reckless after their mighty weapon.
Reckless endured difficult training and combat and
formed a deep attachment to her men during her tour of
duty. However, she is best known for her bravery and commitment
during the battle of Outpost Vegas, one of the
most vicious battles of the war.
The Unit was unable to spare a man to lead Reckless
over miles of rugged terrain, but that didn’t stop her. She
trudged up and down that mountain 51 times, covering 35
miles for over two days all by herself. Wounded twice she
kept on going with courage and determination.
For her valiant efforts, Reckless was awarded two Purple
Hearts, the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal and a
United Nations Service Medal. She retired with the rank of
Staff Sergeant.
www.EliteEquestrianMagazine.com 73
GREAT READS
Elwood and Loren
comes to life in literary form
Aperture Press LLC
201 Washington Post Street, Suite 533
www.aperturepress.net
484-525-0009
A hardcover book, Sergeant Reckless lists for
$22.95. It’s available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble,
and Books-A-Million. For an autographed copy
contact: author@LorensReadingRoom.com
From Germany to Florida, from Alberta to Texas,
and from Florida to New Jersey, Maynard was
willing to go wherever he had to, to learn from the
best. Along the way he discovered something more
important: horsemanship. It is that idea that continues
to motivate him. Today, Maynard searches
out knowledge from many sources, but his most
important mentors are his parents and his wife. He
is married to US Eventing Team Member Sinead
Halpin. Together they run Copperline Farm in Citra,
Florida.
Maynard has always been a passionate
book lover. He has written a children’s
story, published by REAL magazine,
has won the Malahat Review Open
Season Award, and has twice been
shortlisted for the CBC Literary Awards
for his non–fiction works.
From Trafalgar Square Books
www.horseandriderbooks.com
www.TikMaynard.com
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