Hathcock V. Kyle

Who was the better sniper in American History? We all know who the legend, Chris Kyle, was. We‘ve seen the movie “American Sniper” directed by Clint Eastwood. He wasn’t only a legend in American History, but also in Iraqi History. He was nicknamed “The Devil of Ramadi” from the insurgents themselves. But do we know about a legend before him in Carlos Hathcock? Did you know he had a record confirmed kill of 2,496 yards? You’re going to find out.

Chris Kyle: The Legend

Chris Kyle was born and raised in Odessa, Texas. During childhood, his father taught him how to hunt and shoot at age eight. He was already a marksman by the age of fifteen. By the age of twenty-four, Kyle was going to enlist in the United States Marine Corps Special Operations but a Navy Recruiter convinced him to join the Navy SEALs, although he hated water. He went through BUDs and was placed on SEAL Team One and deployed in Iraq in 2003. He served four tours of war and served in every major campaign of the war in Iraq and went through Ramadi, Fallujah, Baghdad, & Sadr City. During his four tours, he claimed for 255 kills but 160 were confirmed, setting an American record. His furthest kill was 2,100 yards away when he saw a insurgent running to an American convoy with a RPG. It was my duty to shoot the enemy, and I don't regret it. “My regrets are for the people I couldn't save: Marines, soldiers, buddies. I'm not naive, and I don't romanticize war. The worst moments of my life have come as a SEAL. But I can stand before God with a clear conscience about doing my job." Chris Kyle said. Kyle was also aware of who Carlos Hathcock was. “Carlos Hathcock, who I think is the greatest sniper of all time, I have more kills but that doesn’t mean I’m better than he is. I was put in a position where I had more opportunities.” Interesting to see that he praises Hathcock and calls him “the greatest sniper of all time.” Is he right?

Carlos Hathcock: The White Feather

Like Chris Kyle, Hathcock learned to shoot at a young age. It was his dream to be a United States Marine. He enlisted when he was seventeen years old and put in the 1st Marine Division Sniper Platoon. Stationed at Hill 55, south of Da Nang. He earned the nickname “White Feather” because he wore a white feather in his bush hat. A trick he used to entice the enemy to spot him. Hathcock was put in missions you would never think would be possible. He became a part of the earth by taking on a mission to kill a NVA general. He had to “worm” 1500 yards to come close. Low crawling inch by inch for four days and three nights without food or sleep. Hathcock was so close to the nearby patrols, he could’ve tripped the enemy and expose himself. Once he was within 700 yards of the General, it was early in the day and the General stepped out on the porch. Once his aide moved out of the way, the General took a bullet through the heart. Once the shot was took, Hathcock moved away from the tree line he was at and the NVA soldiers never found him. Another time, Hathcock explains the “best shot he ever made”.... and it was a woman whom he shot. They nicknamed her ”The Apache” because she took pride in torturing US soldiers. He explains that a Private went to pee right outside the camp and she got a hold of him, skinned him, cutting off his eyelids, removed his fingernails, and castrated him. Hathcock had enough and set out to find her. "I saw a group coming, five of them. I saw her squat to pee, that's how I knew it was her. They tried to get her to stop, but she didn't stop. I stopped her. I put one extra in her for good measure." Hathcock said. Then it became Hathcock vs the Cobra. The NVA’s best sniper was nicknamed the Cobra and the NVA set him out to put an end to Hathcock. The Cobra made him upset quickly. "He was doing bad things," Hathcock said. "He was sent to get me, which I didn't really appreciate. He killed a gunny outside my hooch. I watched him die. I vowed I would get him some way or another." Then it came. Hathcock and his spotter were on the move to trail him but Hathcock tripped on a rotten tree. At that very same time, the Cobra made the shot and hit his spotter’s canteen. Hathcock being the sneaky one that he was known for, made his way to the Cobra’s position. But there was one problem, the Cobra made his way to Hathcock’s last position. They both flip-flopped. But it benefitted Hathcock because the Cobra’s rifle was facing the sun, where his scope set off a glare and gave away his position. Hathcock shot the scope glare and the bullet went straight through the scope and hit the Cobra in the eye, killing him. Hathcock explained that the Cobra had spotted him too. "I was just quicker on the trigger, otherwise he would have killed me," Hathcock said. Carlos Hathcock died the same year Chris Kyle enlisted for the Navy SEALs. Which leaves us with questions of what Carlos Hathcock would think of Chris Kyle if Hathcock would’ve lived long enough to hear Kyle’s story. I believe that Carlos Hathcock would’ve said nothing but good things about Chris Kyle.

Who do you think is the better sniper in American History?