Sgt. Reckless: America’s War Horse is the complete
biography of an ex-race horse turned American hero. Author Robin Hutton writes the
captivating tale of Sgt. Reckless – a Mongolian mare whose courage and determination
prevailed during perilous times.
Through
stunning historical photographs and interviews with eye witnesses and former Marines,
Author Hutton skillfully tells the legend of an American Hero; how
Sgt. Reckless was awarded two Purple Hearts for valor, and much more. Sgt. Reckless was ‘dauntless, fearless, and exemplar
of Semper Fi.’
A
great book for every library! Recommended reading for everyone! Author Hutton
has just completed the screenplay and I look forward to seeing more of Sgt.
Reckless…
What was your
inspiration for writing about Sgt. Reckless?
When
I first discovered her story eight years ago I was stunned that I had never heard
about her before, because to me, this is the GREATEST horse story that I had
ever read. When I googled her name, only four items came up on the internet -
FOUR! I discovered she was iconic in the 1950s and 60s, but disappeared from the pages
of history. So, I made it my mission to make sure she is never forgotten again
-- and, that her story reaches the iconic stature of Secretariat and Seabiscuit
with the masses before I’m done!
Oh goodness! So many to choose from! It’s hard to choose! But I think it would have to be where she ate the centers of the cherry pies that Manny, the cook, had put out to cool! Just knowing how much she loved her cherry pie put a smile on my face - and I can just imagine the look on Manny’s face when he discovered them!
Of the seventy-five US Marines you interviewed, which interview stands out?
Actually, there would be two. I would have to say Harold Wadley’s interview was by far the most compelling as he saw her in action during her most heroic battle of Outpost Vegas in March 1953. The way he describes seeing this tired struggling horse in the flare light just sent chills up my spine! And that she survived! As he says, “There must have been an angel riding that mare that day.”
The
other one was from George Johannes who was also at Outpost Vegas. He didn’t see
Reckless during the battle as he got off the hill just before the battle began.
However, he described a scene that I will never forget - when he saw four Marines
vaporized in front of him when mortar fire hit their bunker. “Red rain” was
what he was covered with. Since I wrote that story in my book, I’ve had several
Marines tell me, sadly, that they too had witnessed the very same thing.
What Military
Decorations were bestowed on Sgt. Reckless?
Her
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, all of which she wore proudly on her red and gold
blanket, along with a French Fourragere that the 5th Marines earned in WW1.
Where are Sgt.
Reckless' foals/lineage today?
All
three of Reckless’s colts were gelded! So sad! She had Fearless (1957), Dauntless
(1959) and Chesty (1964). She also had a little filly in 1967 who died after
one month. Fearless and Dauntless are buried on the rodeo grounds at Camp Pendleton.
Chesty was sold off base, so no record of his burial.
Will we see
Sgt. Reckless in movie theaters soon?
If
I have anything to do with it, you certainly will! I have finished my
screenplay and will start shopping it now that the book is out! It will make
you laugh, it will make you cry - it will make you leave the theater feeling
ten feet tall!
What is
'Angels Without Wings, Inc.'?
AWW,
Inc is my non-profit that I set up to raise the money for the monuments to Sgt
Reckless. We placed the first monument last year at the National Museum of the
Marine Corps in Triangle (Quantico), VA. We are now raising money for the one
at Camp Pendleton, where Reckless lived out her days and is buried, and also, hopefully,
one will be placed in South Korea as well.
But
actually, AWW, Inc. is much more than that. I set it up to raise money and awareness
for those “Angels” who walk among us ... those people who give of themselves
selflessly, day in and day out, to help those in need, or an animal in need.
These
people show us that it only takes one person to make a difference - just a
little bit of one’s time, ingenuity and a little bit of effort can make all the
difference in the world to those less fortunate. These people show us that
...We all can be Angels - if we try. And every day I try to “Be the change you
want to see in the world.” That’s what Angels Without Wings is all about!
Where do you
like to write?
I
can write anywhere - and it all depends on what I am writing, and the time of year
that I’m writing. When I’m at home and the weather is nice, I love to write on
my front or back porch, sitting there with my dogs around me, surrounded by my
rose garden and watching the hummingbirds. Or in the fall and winter, I really love
to put on my sweats and my favorite oversized sweater and sit in front of my fireplace,
curled up on my couch, soft music playing - again dogs all around me. They are
such a wonderful comfort -- and they inspire me!
How do you
maintain thoughts and ideas?
I
write a lot of ... wait, what was the question? :)
Hahaha!
Okay, I couldn’t pass that one up! I take a lot of notes in spiral notebooks.
When I start a project, I get a clean spiral notebook and keep all of my notes
and thoughts and ideas and contacts in there. For Reckless I have 3 large
notebooks, and now have a fourth one for the marketing of the book. I try and
keep as much information in there as I can. Also “To-Do” lists. Sometimes it
takes a lot of flipping back and fourth - but I know I can find stuff in there eventually!
When
I’m in the car and can’t write, I have a little tape recorder that I will turn
on and record things on there, and then type them up so I have them handy.
What are you
currently writing?
Having
just finished Sgt Reckless, I’m now
working on the marketing and promotion of the book, so I’ve not started writing
anything new yet. Besides, I’m trying to enjoy having just given birth! hahaha!
There is talk of doing a children’s book which I’m very excited about and look
forward to diving into! And also, I have to get the monument for Reckless
completed first before I start writing on any new project because, as your
readers who have done any kind of fundraising know, that is an all-consuming
job in itself! And there’s a lot of writing involved in promotional materials,
speeches, etc. So that’s really keeping me busy!
What are you
currently reading?
I
hate to say it, but I haven’t had a chance to read anything lately! It’s been
crazy! I really look forward to the day when I can crawl up with a good book
and get lost in it! Any recommendations? (BTW, even though I’ve written a
novel, I prefer non-fiction
books. I figure if I can find any time to read, I want to LEARN something!)
Do you have
advice for novice writers?
For
starters, write what you are passionate about! That will keep you going when the
thoughts dry up - and we all have those days! If you find a topic that stirs
your emotions and your passion - run with it!
Secondly,
research your topic thoroughly - whether writing a novel or a non-fiction book.
You MUST get the research right, because if you don’t, that will cause people
not to trust you - and you need their trust so they will go on the journey with
you, plus have them want to read other things that you write.
Mark
Twain once said, “Write what you know.” I don’t really agree with that. At least
for me, I find that if I write what I DON’T know, that’s amazing - because then
I, too, LEARN something when I research my topic! And it’s in the learning and
growing that keeps me going. It’s exciting! BUT, there’s a catch in that because
you have to make sure that you do write what you’ve LEARNED - and you must have
the facts right!
For
my novel, it’s a ghost story that takes place during the Civil War, the Kennedy
assassination, and present day. Man, I got every Civil War book I could get my
hands on, and it opened up a whole passion for the Civil War that I never had
before. For my book on Reckless, that happened with the Korean War, and connecting
with all of the amazing Marines and other people that came in touch with
Reckless. I also had to make sure I had all of the horse references correct.
For
instance (and please forgive me for being so simplistic here but I’m trying to
make a point), there’s no easier way to lose my horse audience than to say something
silly like, “Reckless was half stallion.” Well, duh! Horse people would know I
didn’t know what I was talking about if I got that simple fact wrong, and so
they would dismiss the rest of my research because they couldn’t trust that I
had the facts correct on everything else.
Getting
the research right is critical. It takes work - that’s the hard work - but it will
pay off immensely when the book is out!
What's the
secret to writing a great book?
Everything
I said above! Plus having a GREAT subject to write about!
Connect with Robin…
Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Sgt-Reckless-Americas-War-Horse/dp/1621572633/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1407182954&sr=1-1&keywords=sgt.+reckless
Sgt. Reckless website: http://www.sgtreckless.com/Reckless/Welcome.html
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/SgtReckless/168429476628917
Fan club: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sgtreckless/
Publisher page: http://www.regnery.com/books/sgt-reckless-americas-war-horse/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SgtReckless1
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6 comments:
Being in the UK, my knowledge of the Korean War is very limited - and coloured by MASH. However, this has to be a must-read book. Fascinating interview. All the best Robin.
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I always had read that it was Fearless, not Chesty, that was sold off base, and that they didn't have record of him after that? How did you come by that information? Also, I knew Dauntless was gelded, but not the others. Is there any research you can point me in the direction to so I can clear things up? =] I've been reading online a ton, but am getting misinformed somewhere! I'd really appreciate any help. ♡ thank you though, for bringing attention to this war hero of a horse. ♡
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