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Black Jack ...
Dick Francis and Devon Loch ...
Forever etched in the memories of those that watched the funeral of President John F. Kennedy on television in November 1963 were the heart-wrenching scenes of those sorrowful days. There were the images of the grieving young widow Jacqueline, her small children John Jr. and Caroline, the crowds lining the procession route, and a handsome jet black horse with a white star, which was the "caparisoned" or riderless horse that walked behind the coffin bearing the slain President.
The horse was named Black Jack.
To this day, people remember Black Jack's regal bearing, whose presence symbolized the fallen leader through the time-honored tradition of being riderless, boots reversed in the stirrups, and the regimental sword hanging from the empty saddle. Although it has been 30 years since Black Jack passed away at the ripe old age of 29 - and his improbable journey to fame came to an end - his name still evokes memories of his proud bearing under solemn occasions.
He was foaled on a breeding farm near Arkansas City, Kansas, close to the Oklahoma border, on January 19, 1947. The foal was a combination of a Morgan and Quarter horse. He was named Black Jack after Gen. John J. "Black Jack" Pershing, who was revered in nearby Oklahoma.
In 1950, Babe Jones, a horse dealer, bought Black Jack and sold him to the U.S. Army Remount Depot at Ft. Reno, Oklahoma. As was the Army's tradition, Black Jack was branded with the letters "US" on his left shoulder and his serial number - 2V56 - on the left side of his neck. Of historic note, Black Jack was the last horse bought and branded by the Cavalry, ending a long tradition of the U.S. Army.
Black Jack was a difficult horse to train; he was temperamental, unruly, and unpredictable. However, his beautiful looks and bearing made him a favorite. "He had a marvelous head, a wide handsome face, sound legs and a muscular body that rippled with definition, " wrote Robert Knuckle, author of Black Jack: America's Famous Riderless Horse. "At maturity, he stood 15.1 hands and weighed almost 1,200 pounds, which he carried with an air of authority."
After the completion of his training, plans called for Black Jack to be shipped to either Greece or Turkey, when an unexpected request came in for a good-looking horse with a nice personality to serve on the Caisson Platoon at Ft. Myer, Virginia. Those that knew Black Jack thought he deserved the chance despite his training problems. Arrangements were made with Ft. Myer, and the black gelding was shipped east by cattle car.
Black Jack was assigned to the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, known as "The Old Guard", which still serves today as the official honor guard for the President, conducts military ceremonies in Washington, D.C., and provides escort duties for funerals at Arlington National Cemetery. Not surprisingly, Black Jack proved difficult to ride, unhappy being harnessed, and generally uncooperative. However, because of his beauty and conformation, he was given a chance as the caparisoned or riderless horse. Although less than perfect in his new role, the families of the mourners complimented the officers-in-charge on the splendid horse and the tribute his presence gave to their deceased loved ones.
Jackie Kennedy, who took great care to model her husband's funeral on the nation's tribute to another slain President, Abraham Lincoln, was impressed with Black Jack's bearing and appearance when she first saw him. Mrs. Kennedy immediately knew she wanted him as the riderless horse to accompany the caisson bearing her slain husband.
On November 27, 1963, almost immediately after the burial of her husband, Mrs. Kennedy informed the Secretary of the Army that she wanted to buy Black Jack when the horse was to be retired. The Army advised her that it would be possible to purchase Black Jack some time in the future. Meanwhile, the Army presented Mrs. Kennedy with the bridle, saddle, saddle blanket, sword, boots, and spurs that Black Jack carried during the funeral cortege.
By 1967, the Army decided it was time to retire Black Jack because he had suffered a bowed tendon in his leg. Before sending the gelding to the Army Animal Facility at Fort Meade, Maryland, the Secretary of the Army wrote Jackie Kennedy asking whether she was still interested in buying Black Jack.
The letter to Mrs. Kennedy advised her that:
Black Jack is now of the age and physical condition which will necessitate his retirement from active Federal Service. Thus, if you are still interested in acquiring him, necessary measures will be taken to complete the transaction. In the event, however, that you do not wish to purchase him at this time, he will be retired to the well-equipped Animal Facility of the Army Institute of Research at Fort Meade, Maryland, where you can be assured he will be comfortable but not subjected to research activities
I would appreciate being apprised of your decision on this matter.
Jackie Kennedy sent the following letter in response:
Dear Mr. Secretary,
I do want to thank you for your letter of July 14th and I was so touched that you wrote me about Black Jack.
I have been thinking it over and it does seem that Black Jack would be happiest if retired to the Army animal division at Fort Meade. I know he would get the very best of care there and that is what is most important to me.
Thank you so much for remembering my interest in Black Jack and I am so pleased to know he will be well taken care of for the rest of his years.
With my best wishes,
Sincerely
(signed) Jacqueline Kennedy
After receiving Jackie Kennedy's letter, the Army decided not to retire Black Jack, but instead to reduce his work and afford him rest.
By the end of 1967, Black Jack had participated in over 1,000 funerals. Always a favorite of the regiment, Black Jack went into semi-retirement and then full retirement in 1973, all the time staying at Ft, Myer. One admirer of Black Jack was Nancy Schado, a wife of a retired Army soldier, who visited Black Jack each week and organized annual birthday parties for the horse. On his birthday, Nancy brought him carrots, apples and baked him a butter pecan cake, which he always tasted and liked.
Prior to Black Jack's 25th birthday in 1972, Nancy Schado received a letter from President Richard Nixon. It read:
Dear Mrs. Schado:
Mrs. Nixon and I were glad to learn of the birthday celebration you are planning for Black Jack, and we want to join his many friends and admirers in paying tribute to him at this time.
Black Jack has been a poignant symbol of our nation's grief on many occasions over the years. Citizens in mourning felt a burst of pride in seeing this majestic horse whose quiet dignity and purpose conveyed a simpler yet deeper tribute to the memory of those heroic "riders" who have given so much for our nation.
Our people are grateful to Black Jack for helping us bear the burden of sorrow during difficult times. I know that all Americans would want to join in sending special birthday congratulations to this horse who served our nation and our people so well.
Sincerely,
(signed) Richard Nixon
For Black Jack's 29th birthday in January 1976, Mrs. Schado organized what would be the gelding's last birthday. More than 1,500 people filled Conmy Hall across from the stables, where Black Jack was brought and introduced to the gathering by Mrs. Schado as "the most handsome man in the U.S. Army." Wearing a red, white, and blue halter and a new "76" Centennial blanket with his name on it, Black Jack was cheered and toasted by the soldiers and civilians alike.
As a result of kidney failure and other ailments, Black Jack was euthanized on February 6, 1976. In honor, of the old cavalry horse and his service to the nation, the Army honored Black Jack by burying his remains adjoining the parade grounds of Summerall Field at Fort Myer.
This was an unprecedented act: no other animal had ever been afforded the honor by the U.S. Army.
Surrounded by a horseshoe shaped hedge, a granite tombstone and bronze plaque was dedicated in 1977. The inscription read:
Black Jack - Foaled 19 January 1947
Entered 3rd US Infantry stables 22 November 1952
Retired to 3rd Infantry stables 1 June 1973
The last of the quartermaster issued horses
During his tenure as a caparisoned horse, Black Jack
Escorted the funeral caissons of Presidents
Herbert Hoover, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson
And General of the Army Douglas MacArthur
Died 6 February 1976
