An accomplished sniper, waldrons record of 109 confirmed kills stood as the most by an american sniper until it was broken by navy seal chris kyle. As mark owen recounts successful military missions that most of us. American sniper chris kyle died while trying to help fellow veteran. Kyles bestselling book, american sniper, was made into a movie directed by clint. Eddie ray routh found guilty of capital murder duration. U s marine corps nery sergeant carlos norman hath lovell2 carlos hath british world record sniper says he can still see and smell the people killed in his nightmares. In american sniper, a memoir that was published in 2012, and went on to sell more than a million copies, kyle recounted some of his most dramatic tales of marksmanship. Most decorated american soldier in us military history. Being a navy seal is about pride and honor and for years that tradition lives. Chris kyle shot looters, carjackers, punched jesse ventura. David hackworth left home at 14 in search of a war. American sniper chris kyle didnt receive all the medals he said he was awarded in his book, u.
American sniper takes apart the myth of the american. A famous american marksman and author was shot dead yesterday on a texas rifle range. Military history audiobook written by chris kyle, scott mcewen, jim defelice. Military history is an autobiography by united states navy seal chris kyle, written with scott mcewen and jim defelice. If youve ever been curious about the man who led american sniper chris kyle through the iraq war, id like to direct you to d magazine contributor michael j. Chief petty officer chris kyle is a former united states navy seal, who with 255 kills, 160 of them officially confirmed by the pentagon, is the deadliest marksman sniper in united states military history. Kyle and his wife taya in january 2012, signing autographs for his book american sniper at camp pendleton taya kyle in august 20 kyle left the u.
The best sniper of world war 1 francis pegahmagabow i. Chris kyle, a retired navy seal and bestselling author of the book american sniper. Chris kyle is the most decorated and revered sniper in american military history and had more than 150 confirmed kills during his time in iraq and afghanistan. The most lethal sniper in american history was the son of a church deacon and a sundayschool teacher. Although there are quite a few achievements to his credit, but he is best known for preserving the achievements of his fellow snipers. Best books about snipers and sniping collection of top sniping related books. Five of the best snipers of all time business insider. See more ideas about chris kyle, navy seals and american. Chris kyle, the former navy seal who claimed to have been the most prolific sniper in american history, had a. A sniper s vietnam revealed that he had the most confirmed kills in marine corps history. Nbc picks up sniper miniseries the reaper from weinstein. Norman hathcock ii he is classified as a legendary sniper and marksman of the 90s. Who is the most decorated sniper in the american military.
His book was later made into a hit movie in 2014, with bradley cooper portraying kyle. D magazine the raw and unforgettable narrative of the making of our countrys recordholding sniper, chris kyles memoir is a powerful book, both in terms of combat action and human drama. Inside the hunt for the killers who terrorized the. Though there are moments when viewers are left to question the moral ambiguity of kyles service and the effects of war, for the vast majority of the film, eastwoods stance on american patriotism remains ever forward facing. Navy seal chris kyle recorded the most career sniper kills in united states military history. American sniper chris kyle distorted his military record.
Dec 25, 20 the title of most decorated american soldier probably goes to robert lewis howard, a us army soldier and medal of honor recipient of the vietnam war. Kyle, 38, wrote the bestselling book, american sniper. In the fourth novel in the new york times bestselling series, marine sniper kyle swanson finds himself in the sights of a man he once idolizeda true american hero turned traitor swanson and his beautiful girlfriend, cia agent lauren carson, are on a mission in pakistan when their world is turned inside out. But earning the distinction of the us militarys most lethal sniperin history is not the soul crushing, serial killer making deed that many civilians perceive it to be.
The book was published by william morrow and company on january 2, 2012 and appeared on the new york times best seller list for 37 weeks. Inside the hunt for the killers who terrorized a nation is a fairly well written chronicle of the events. No american has been more associated with navy seal mystique than chris kyle. American sniper and millions of other books are available for instant access. The pentagon has officially confirmed more than 150 of kyles kills the previous american record was 109, but it has declined to verify the astonishing total number for this book. The list of intangibles that we love about our country is literally endless. His exploits were the subject of to hell and back usa, 1956, in which he starred as himself. The book describes kyles upbringing and navy seal training, but the heart of the text deals with his experiences in combat. A brave warrior and patriot, chris kyle writes frankly about the missions, personal challenges, and hard choices that are part of daily life of an elite seal sniper. American sniper audiobook by chris kyle, scott mcewan. His total counts are not as great as many other snipers on this list, but still he was the best in what he did.
On american sniper or how chris kyle put aside the cowboy and became a man the late chris kyle was a highly decorated veteran, dubbed the most lethal sniper in u. Audie leon murphy 20 june 1925 28 may 1971 was one of the most decorated american combat soldiers of world war ii. Although his official kill count states that kyle took out 150 enemies during his four tours in iraq, according to kyles memoir, the bestseller american sniper, kyles real number is over 200. Military history from the worlds largest community of readers. Navy corrects medal count for american sniper chris kyle time. Jun, 2016 american sniper is patriotic to a fault, depicting kyle as an american hero in a very similar way to sergeant york. One of the scout sniper s greatest engagements came when an enemy platoon was attempting to cross a river at night on valentines day to attack an american base.
His bestselling book, american sniper, detailed his adventures as the most. The american sniper navy seal proof read version book 1 ebook. All told, kyle wrote in his book, i would end my career as a seal. There is more than one author in the goodreads database with this name. The autobiography of the most lethal sniper in us military history, about the 150plus insurgents he killed between 1999 and 2009. Americas most prolific sniper, kyles wartime experiences went well beyond shooting from afar.
The 5 most legendary snipers of all time americas military. Kyle swanson sniper novels 10 book series kindle edition. But he is a decorated devil dog with six distinguished flying crosses, 18 air medals, and the congressional space medal of honor he flew 122 combat missions in world war ii and korea and had three airto. Chris kyle is known as the most decorated navy seal sniper in american history.
Specialist james wilks, 25, from fort worth, texas. Kyle, regarded as the deadliest sniper in us history, was fatally shot at a texas shooting range in 20. Dec 24, 2014 american sniper takes apart the myth of the american warrior. Elite seal sniper jp dinnell an origin film duration. Shooter is his harrowing firstperson account of a sniper s life on and off the modern battlefield. With the impressive tagline of the autobiography of the most lethal sniper in u. Modern american snipers tells the inside story of some of the most heroic patriots in recent american history by the friends and colleagues who knew them best, including. A sniper in the 50th canadian infantry battalion during the first world war. Mawhinneys work in the vietnam war was almost forgotten until a book, dear mom.
Like the other sniper team members, he was fully equipped with the art of jungle warfare, the patience required to accomplish a mission, combat marksmanship, and, last but not least, the most valuable quality of courage. Navy in 2009, and moved to midlothian, texas, with his wife, taya, and two children. American hero chris kyle, author of american sniper and the most lethal sniper in american military history, was killed on feb. Mar 18, 2020 kyle makes number one on the list of most famous navy seals because his actions in iraq raised the standards for what a seal is capable of. It was hard to compile the list of the most famous navy seals through history because there were thousands of americans, known and unknown who fought everywhere where american interests were at stake.
Howard was born july 11, 1939 and he died at age 70 on december 23, 2009. I have been looking forward to diving into this book ever since i heard he had written it because even though i dont know chris, i have heard dozens of his harrowing combat stories from many of the guys he served with. Fifth marine sniper was the most decorated platoon in the vietnam war. Military history i purchased this book in the hope it would be a thrilling insight into the life of a navy seal who is the inspiration for the film of the same name starring bradley cooper. American sniper chris kyle didnt receive all the medals he.
Their ranks included the most highly decorated unit, as well as the most highly decorated american soldier. Navy he turns his sights on joining the ranks of the most elite fighting force, the seals. From basic training, to life overseas, to actual combat, the average american knows little about the life of a military veteran. To learn more about the brave men who enlisted to defend this country, check out the following books.
The best sniper of world war 1 francis pegahmagabow i who. He is a famous vietnam war author, particularly for preserving the history of vietnam snipers from 1967 to 1968. Military history by chris kyle with scott mcewen and jim defelice. Highly trained marksmen who can shoot accurately from incredible distances with specialized training in highprecision rifles. Incredibly, he would earn 91 medals as one of the most decorated soldiers who ever lived, including two distinguished service crosses, 10 silver stars, 8 bronze stars, and 8 purple hearts. He starred in 27 films, mostly westerns, with the film version of his. Kyles bestselling book, american sniper, was made into a movie directed by clint eastwood and starring bradley cooper as kyle. Chris kyle, retired navy seal and bestselling author of the book american sniper. American sniper is the inside story of what its like to be in war. Forward by general john singlaub, who served as chief sog from 19661968. This engrossing, often thrilling book explores the life of the modernday sniper. John glenn is probably more famous for being the first american to orbit the earth than he is for his marine corps career. American sniper tells the story of chris kyle, a navy seal who completed four tours in iraq from 19992009. In this enthralling new novel in the bestselling kyle swanson sniper series, an american warrior is called to redeem a debt of honor in somalia amid haunting personal nightmares.
Kyles heroism and service give reason to celebrate his life, however, the public and media often. Nbc picks up sniper miniseries the reaper from weinstein co. The twoway chris kyle, who wrote a bestseller about his time in iraq and the more than 150 insurgents he killed. Navy seal chris kyle, and the source for clint eastwoods blockbuster movie which was nominated for six academy awards, including best picture. Meet the man who led american sniper chris kyle through. Carlos norman hathcock ii may 20, 1942 february 22, 1999 was a united states marine corps usmc sniper with a service record of 93 confirmed kills. Audie murphy became a national hero during world war ii as the most decorated combat soldier of the war. The most financially successful war movie ever made, and nominated for six oscars including best picture it won one, american sniper is a. I believe that chris kyle is likely the most decorated sniper in american military history, but i have to say i am very dubious of his number of confirmed kills. A sniper is a trained marksman who operates alone, in a pair, or with a sniper team to maintain close visual contact with a target and engage the targets from concealed positions or distances exceeding the detection capabilities of enemy personnel.
But the american sniper author misrepresented how many decorations. Chris kyle is a highly decorated west coast navy seal, king of all us snipers, and author of american sniper. Seal team 3 chief chris kyle 197420 was awarded two silver stars. Among his 33 awards was the medal of honor, the highest award for bravery that a soldier can receive.
However, kyles story has also been polarizing, with seemingly everyone having an. Jan 26, 2019 some boys dream of running away to join the circus. The american sniper nickname the reaper for killing more. Yet the movie that american sniper most brought to mind was the 2004 documentary, oh.
Jan 24, 2018 in fact, many civilians have little to no knowledge of life in the military. Born in virginia in march of 1933, adelbert waldron iii served in the vietnam war as a staff sergeant for the 9th infantry division. British royal marine is worlds deadliest sniper telegraph. With 255 kills, 160 of them officially confirmed by the pentagon, kyle is the deadliest marksman in u. Francis pegahmagabow was not only the most successful sniper of world war 1, but he is also among the most decorated aboriginal soldiers in history. British royal marine is worlds deadliest sniper corporal reported to have recorded 173 confirmed kills during tours of afghanistan and iraq, putting him ahead of. Who is the most decorated sniper in the american military forces. A true story of american valor from the worlds largest community of readers. Jul 18, 2016 francis pegahmagabow was not only the most successful sniper of world war 1, but he is also among the most decorated aboriginal soldiers in history. He is the deadliest american sniper ever, called the devil by the enemies he hunted and the legend by his navy seal brothers. Chris kyle was incredible, the most celebrated war hero of our time, a true american hero in every sense of the word. He is also remembered as one of the most decorated american snipers in history with a total of 90 kills. Unbroken, american sniper top list of bestselling military books.
American sniper claim on combat medals is disputed the. If all he ever did was take a shit as a navy seal in iraq, hed have a nicer dd214 than most of us could ever dream of and it seems its never enough. Oct 04, 2018 marine pilot whose heroics helped stop fire that killed marine raider the sandgram 11 legends of the us marine corps. Former navy seal chris kyle, deadliest sniper in u. American sniper chris kyle not as decorated as he claimed. Audie murphy 19241971 was the most decorated soldier in us history, winning 24 medals from the congressional medal of honor down. The legend chris kyle, seal team 3 chief and the most lethal sniper in u. Hathcocks record and the extraordinary details of the missions he undertook made him a legend in the u. Its an excellent allaround cartridge, whose performance allows for superb accuracy as well as stopping power. In may 2016, the intercept claimed that kyles autobiography embellished his military record, and that he had been warned by navy officials about. Chris kyle frog foundation store chris kyle frog store. Their stories, among the most extraordinary to come out of the vietnam war, can now at last be told.
633 146 1261 150 804 165 137 1015 200 131 934 512 1555 544 321 253 33 241 210 641 1146 1047 224 614 491 658 754 221 856 614 551 1285 237 1319 73 1585 1336 1182 1135 364 140 114 450 527 513 144 94 260 1100 883