The Battle For Outpost Vegas By Tom Clavin

The Korean War was one of the bloodiest conflicts of the 20th century. During the war, the United States was defending South Korea from invasions by North Korea. The U.S. was able to keep the North Koreans out of South Korea with the help of a M20 75mm recoilless rifle operated by the Recoilless Rifle Platoon of the 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Division. In Reckless, by Tom Clavin, we see how SSgt. Reckless, a decorated war horse and her platoon played an important role in the Korean War. BATTLE FOR OUTPOST VEGAS The Battle for Outpost Vegas was a five-day battle and is considered one of the bloodiest battles of the Korean War. Outpost Vegas was one of three outposts called the Nevada Cities. The United States controlled the Nevada Cities, but Chinese forces launched

Marines weren’t giving up on Outpost Vegas. To help with the retaking of Outpost Vegas, the Recoilless Rifle Platoon was called in to join the battle. While the Recoilless Rifle Platoon set up at their firing locations atop Hill 20, Reckless was at the supply depot where six recoilless rifle shells were strapped to her packsaddle. Reckless set off on her trek to get the load of shells to her fellow Marines. The trail Reckless had to follow had a big disadvantage, where she could be seen by the enemy and become their target. Despite the heavy gunfire and exhaustion, Reckless kept making trips up and down the hill because she knew her Platoon needed her. “...she carried six shells to any man’s two, and also made the trips in almost half the time, Reckless was the best at keeping the Platoon supplied,” (Clavin, 190). As the heat of the battle picked up, the Recoilless Rifle Platoon was going through the recoilless rifle shells at a faster rate. To ensure the Platoon never ran out of shells, Lieutenant Eric Pedersen had Reckless carry eight shells each trip, which would be “...easily way over two hundred pounds on her with the saddle,” (Clavin,