As the NVMM prepares to present our second annual Pets and Vets Week on October 19 – 22, 2022, we are reading the fascinating story of Sergeant Reckless, the mare who became a U.S. Marine and is the only animal to officially hold a military rank. Just like every other enlisted Marine, Reckless started out as a private and had to earn her promotions. Known for her enormous appetite, determined work ethic and unbreakable bond with her fellow Marines, Sergeant Reckless epitomized the Marine Corps motto of Semper Fidelis – Ever Faithful.
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Ask questions about this story.
Why were the U.S. Marines fighting in Korea?
What role did Sergeant Reckless and other horses play during the war?
Pork Chop Hill, officially designated “Hill 255” was the site of an extended struggle along the Korean peninsula. This struggle consisted of a pair of related infantry battles that occurred during the spring and summer of 1953. Prior to the Battle of Pork Chop Hill itself, this hill was seized by the U.S. 8th Cavalry Regiment in 1951 and again in May of 1952 by Item Company of the U.S. 180th Infantry Regiment. By December of 1952, this outpost on the 980 foot high hill was part of the 7th Infantry Division’s defensive sector. However, this hill was only one of several exposed hills, a line that was subject to attacks from two divisions of the highly-trained Chinese Communist Forces.
This battle officially began on April 16th, 1953, when the Chinese command authorized such an attack in order to convey the political statement that negotiation would not stop them from fighting if they deemed it necessary. That day, a patrol from the U.S. 31st Infantry set up an ambush at the valley bottom. Three hours later, about 50 Chinese soldiers approached and were met with grenades flung by the Fox Company. The Fox company was ordered back, however they became trapped in their position by the firing of mortars from the Easy Company which was defending against the advancing Chinese. Since this encounter failed to alert Pork Chop’s defenders, two full Chinese Infantry companies were allowed to reach the ramparts undetected.
Though the Chinese were able to infiltrate the defensive works, the command post that initially detected the attack prevented them from blocking American reinforcements, rendering them unable to secure the rear slope. However, by systematically killing the occupants of the 1st and 3rd Platoons and bringing in additional reinforcements, they were able to secure the majority of the hill. Thus, the three month long struggle for Pork Chop Hill began.
Major General John A. Hemphill, U.S. Army describes the brutal combat in Korea at the Battle of Porkchop Hill. He assumed command of a company in combat as a second lieutenant and led them in a daring effort to retake a lost American outpost. His actions resulted in him being awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, our nation’s second-highest award for valor.
General Douglas MacArthur was one of only nine Americans to hold the five-star general rank. He commanded the South West Pacific Theater during World War II, over saw Japan after its surrender, and was selected to command the United Nations efforts to repel the North Korean advance after hostilities broke out. The North’s offensive was finally held at the Pusan Perimeter, a tiny pocket of land in the south of the Korean Peninsula. To strike back, General MacArthur planned a daring amphibious landing that retook Seoul and threatened the North Korean Army’s supply lines which caused them to retreat home at a rapid pace. The quick offensive into North Korea by MacArthur drew China into the conflict, which halted the United Nations’ advance and forced them back to the 38th Parallel. It was here that the ensuing stalemate would cause General MacArthur to begin to butt heads with leadership in the United States.
With Chinese troops now supporting North Korea, MacArthur wanted to expand military operations in the South China Sea and China itself. He initially proposed for a naval blockade of China, as well as restrictions to be lifted on air strikes within their borders, and to open support for Chinese Nationalists to start their own operations. All of which were rejected by Washington D.C. who were attempting to keep the war contained to the Korean Peninsula. Frustrations between MacArthur and Washington began to mount when General MacArthur went public with his frustrations and the “limitations” placed on him and his command. Though President Truman did not relieve him, he later recounted that he should have at that moment.
The tipping point occurred when, as Truman and those in the United Nations concluded a negotiated settlement was the best chance for peace as the stalemate ensued, MacArthur made a public statement without contacting the Joint Chiefs of Staff or President that he, personally, was open to negotiating with the “Chinese military commander.” MacArthur had outright disregarded his superiors and in a response letter to Congressman Martin he expressed views that were “not only in disagreement with the policy of the government but was challenging this policy in open insubordination to this Commander in Chief.” General MacArthur’s misconception of what the United States goals were in Korea and refusal to bend to the civilian leadership in its execution are what ultimately led to his dismissal on April 11, 1951.
