Sergeant Reckless: The True Story of the Little Horse Who Became a Hero

During the Korean War, a small, half-starved former racehorse is taken in by a unit of United States Marines. They need a horse to carry heavy ammunition up steep hills for their cannon, and the little mare turns out to be fearless, loyal and quick to learn. She also has an appetite for unusual snacks, from chocolate to blankets. Over time she earns the soldiers' trust and affection, and her courage under fire becomes legendary. Patricia McCormick tells this true story of Sergeant Reckless, the only animal to hold an official rank in the U.S. military, with illustrations by Iacopo Bruno and an author's note about the horse's life before and after the war. The book won the Texas Bluebonnet Award.