Purchased in South Korea in 1952 for $250, Reckless was originally trained as a racehorse before being bought by Marines to carry ammunition. She quickly learned supply routes and often carried ammunition to the front lines without a handler. She also learned to lie down or seek cover during artillery barrages and helped carry wounded Marines away from the fighting. During the Battle of Outpost Vegas in March 1953, Sergeant Reckless made 51 trips in a single day, carrying more than 9,000 pounds (4,100 kg) of ammunition over roughly 35 miles (56 km), much of it under heavy enemy fire. She was wounded twice but continued working throughout the battle. The Marines treated her as one of their own. She slept in their tents, ate with the men, and became famous for eating almost anything, including scrambled eggs, bacon, candy bars, beer, Coca-Cola, and even poker chips and blankets. After the war, Sergeant Reckless was brought to the United States, where she was promoted several times, eventually reaching the rank of Staff Sergeant. She received two Purple Hearts, the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, the Korean Service Medal with three bronze service stars, the United Nations Korea Medal, and numerous other honors, making her one of the most decorated animals in U.S. military history. #archaeohistories