Chris Kyle

April 8, 1974 — February 2, 2013 — Odessa, Texas, United States

Christopher Scott Kyle was a United States Navy SEAL sniper and author whose four combat tours in Iraq made him one of the most lethal marksmen in American military history. Credited with 160 confirmed kills, he earned a Silver Star and three Bronze Star Medals with 'V' devices for valor. After leaving the military, he chronicled his experiences in the bestselling memoir 'American Sniper,' which was later adapted into an acclaimed film.

Early Life and Path to the SEALs

Chris Kyle was born on April 8, 1974, in Odessa, Texas, and grew up in a rural setting where he learned to hunt and shoot at a young age, skills that would later define his military career. He worked as a ranch hand and rodeo cowboy before pursuing a career in the military. Kyle initially attempted to enlist in the U.S. Army but was rejected due to metal pins in his arm from a previous injury. He later successfully joined the United States Navy in 1999, driven by a desire to serve his country and a fascination with the elite training required to become a Navy SEAL. He endured the grueling Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training program, one of the most demanding military training courses in the world, and qualified as a Navy SEAL. His background in marksmanship from his upbringing in Texas made him a natural fit for sniper training, setting the stage for his deployment to combat zones.

Military Service and Combat Record

Kyle served four tours of duty in the Iraq War as a Navy SEAL sniper, participating in major operations including the Battle of Fallujah, the Battle of Ramadi, and the fighting in Sadr City. Iraqi insurgents reportedly nicknamed him 'Al-Shaitan Ramadi,' or 'The Devil of Ramadi,' due to his effectiveness and the bounty placed on his head. He was credited with 160 confirmed kills, the most of any sniper in U.S. military history at the time, though his self-reported total in his memoir was higher. For his valor and service, Kyle received the Silver Star, three Bronze Star Medals with 'V' devices, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and a Combat Action Ribbon. He was wounded multiple times during his deployments and survived several close calls, including being shot and surviving IED attacks. Kyle retired from the Navy in 2009 after a decade of service, transitioning to civilian life while carrying the physical and psychological toll of sustained combat.

Later Life, Legacy, and Death

After leaving the Navy, Kyle founded Craft International, a company that provided tactical training to military and law enforcement personnel. In 2012, he published his memoir, 'American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History,' which became a New York Times bestseller and brought national attention to his story. He also dedicated significant time to helping fellow veterans cope with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the challenges of reintegration into civilian life. On February 2, 2013, Kyle was shot and killed at a shooting range near Chalk Mountain, Texas, by Eddie Ray Routh, a former Marine he was attempting to help with PTSD. His death shocked the nation and sparked broader conversations about veteran mental health care. In 2014, director Clint Eastwood released 'American Sniper,' a film adaptation starring Bradley Cooper, which became a critical and commercial success and further cemented Kyle's legacy as a symbol of American military sacrifice and service.