Do you remember the story of the BLM mare, Comanche, from Fort Ord?
Here is an excerpt from my previous blog (linked here) about Comanche and Sgt. Allan MacDonald:
SGT MacDonald bought his mare, Comanche, at a BLM mustang
gather and rode her twenty-three years in official U.S. Army
functions. She was the last ceremonial horse at Fort Ord, until the
colors were retired in 1993 and the base closed. On her death, the
Army accorded SGT MacDonald the distinction of permitting her
burial on a hill overlooking the old parade fields, beside the concrete
troughs built for war horses. Comanche’s grave, marked by a picket
fence and display case, is a landmark for riders, bikers, and hikers.
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WELL…. SGT. MACDONALD IS 91 AND COULD USE SOME LOVE FROM HORSE FRIENDS! CAN YOU SEND HIM A CARD?
Friends of Ford Ord will present the all the letters to him with freshly baked cookies!
MAIL HOLIDAY CARDS For Sgt. MacDonald ASAP TO:
Friends of the Fort Ord Warhorse
PO Box 1168
Marina, CA 93933
Sgt. MacDonald with Comanche 2… also a white BLM mare!
NOW THAT YOU’VE SENT YOUR CARD, A BIT MORE ABOUT SGT. MACDONALD…
Below is the bio of Sgt MacDonald in We Remember: U.S. Cavalry Association, 1996.
“SFC ALLAN A. MACDONALD was born Oct. 14, 1923, in Kearny, NJ. Enlisted into the cavalry and assigned to Ft. Knox. KY. Later transferred to Ft. Riley. KS, assigned to 2nd Cav. for basic training. Transferred to Ft. Bliss, TX, assigned to HQ Tp. 1st Cav. Div as colonels orderly. Sent to Tp. B, 5th Cav. Regt. and went to Australia to Camp Strathpine. After months or training went to Admiralty Islands then to Leyte and Luzon Island, Philippines during WWII.
“After Japanese surrender, went to Japan and was stable sergeant for lst Cav. Div., at Camp Drake, Japan.
“In 1949 was sent by Gen. Chase, lst Cav. Div. commander, on TOY to GHQ in Tokyo as stable sergeant for Gen. Douglas MacArthur. In 1950 when the Korean War broke out he went back to the division and went to Korea where he was wounded and Air Evac back home. Married Shiwe Uchida in 1949 and had one daughter.
“Came back to the US and assigned to Ft. Reno. OK, where he broke stud horses later shipped to Turkey. He made nine trips to Istanbul, Turkey with 1,200 horses or mules for the Turkish Army. After it closed down in 1954 was assigned to 35th QM Pack Mule at Ft. Carson, CO.
“Another tour to Korea and Japan until 1965 upon his retirement from the Army. Came to Ft. Ord. CA and worked with Post Maintenance as a supply driver.
“In 1970 purchased a wild mustang and participated in change of command ceremonies for every commanding general incoming and outgoing till 1993. Participated for the 9th and lOth Cav. units at Ft. Ord, also the basic trainees, the basic combat support brigade, and the Air Brigade. His horse, Comanche, died two days before the 7th lnf. div. inactivation ceremony here at Ft. Ord in 1993 and is buried here at East Garrison, Ft. Ord, CA.
THANK YOU FOR MAKING HIS DAY!
Here they are at the first Comanche’s gravesite. Aren’t they a pretty picture?!
JEWELRY THAT BENEFITS THE BUCKET FUND HORSES! Every sale counts! Click image to see the new pieces!
Click here for webpage, click here for Facebook!
We gift wrap, can add personal message and drop ship! Just email me!
Our December Bucket Fund Horses! Cinny the Ancient and Charming Gelding, Lila – the mini donk who survived sarcoid and the H&M Re-Wilding Program. Click here to read all about these horses! Gift donation Certificates available!
