By comparison, the top marine corps sniper in vietnam killed 103 people in 16 months. In the united states marine corps, the most dangerous job in combat. Mitchell dusted off his herringbone utility uniform and reported to camp pendleton in february 1967 for direct transfer to vietnam to head the newly founded 1st marine division sniper school at the happy valley range outside da nang. Within the army and marines each have their sniper schools. This marine was the american sniper of the vietnam war. Snipers for the united states military are, without question, exceptionally efficient killers. Jan 30, 2015 that is the sniper s creed and no man in any war embodied it more than gunnery sgt. The marines are finally replacing their vietnam warera m40s with the mk mod 7 sniper rifle, marine spokesman capt. He missed the marine corps, however, and returned to vietnam in 1969, where he took command of a platoon of snipers. Realistic, it places you with the main character in those true stories, keeping you on edge all the way.
He was a screwup as a recruit but later saw brief action in the dominican republic. He was born on december 8th, 1933 and enlisted in the united states marine corps in 1950. And each time, he emerged from the jungle having done his duty. The book begins with his high school years and the decisions which led to his enlistment. Charles henderson is a veteran of more than twentythree years in the united states marine corps, with a distinguished career spanning from vietnam to the gulf war, after which he retired as a chief warrant officer. With 98 confirmed kills within six months of action, he is one of the five american snipers with most kills in the vietnam war.
Ken burnss acclaimed and powerful documentary the vietnam war, codirected by lynn. Jan 22, 2000 in 16 months as a marine corps sniper in vietnam in 1968 and 1969, he killed 103 of the enemy. Army, the 19d mos, cavalry scout is the primary special reconnaissance and surveillance soldier and. The garand was a great infantry rifle, but it didnt do as well for sniping. During the vietnam war, kills had to be confirmed by a third person who had to be an officer. Carlos hathcock is a marine corps sniper whose success in the vietnam war became legendary.
Upon returning to the united states, he set up the marine sniper school at quantico, virginia. The following is an actual torturecastration she performed on a young captured soldier. When the korean war broke out, the marines were once again in an uncertain spot in regards to sniper rifles, and sniping in general. The science of longrange sniping came to fruition in the vietnam war. The new mark mod 7 sniper rifle, a favorite of navy seals is. Soldiers beat out marines for top spots at marine sniper. Based on the life and times of sergeant carlos hathcock an american soldier who apparently eventually became the posterboy of the marine sniper program the book seemed an interesting prospect at first. Sep 21, 2017 here are the ten best films to tackle the complicated subject matter in realistic, brutal, and honest ways. Hathcock fought in vietnam and, as the title says, killed 93 people that were.
Another 216 kills were listed only as probables because it. He tells about his chronological experiences in the jungles of vietnam where he was deployed for a year. His mos of bandsman was just a cover for the secret missions he was running in both north korea and north vietnam. During the last battle of the vietnam war, three u. Marine had to face in vietnam, especially a marine sniper like ed kugler. A marine student undergoing the 2nd marine division combat skills centers prescout sniper course prepares to move during a stalking exercise at camp lejeune, n. The marines combine the sniper and recon elements into one mos to support the infantry battalion where as the armys generally just take out high value targets though their snipers can be. Marine sniper pens books, is still dealing with vietnam wars. Ed kuglers 2 year journey through the hell that was vietnam depicts the enviroment so well that it is almost like you are there. There are less than 300 scout snipers within the corps. A marine snipers twoyear odyssey in the vietnam war. Most other conventional armed forces, including the u. Another 216 kills were listed only as probables because it was too risky to take time to search the. Carlos hathcock, the marine sniper whose exploits can hardly.
Snipers generally have specialized training and are equipped with highprecision rifles and highmagnification optics, and often feed tactical information back to their units or command headquarters. That is the snipers creed and no man in any war embodied it more than gunnery sgt. United states marine corps scout sniper mos 0317, formerly 8541 is a secondary mos military occupational specialty designator of u. The marine corps is unique in its consolidation of reconnaissance and sniper duties for a single marine. Mar 11, 2015 acronym for the marine corps six troopleading steps. The author of the bestselling vietnam war memoir marine sniper continues the incredible true story of sergeant carlos hathcock. Aug 22, 20 marine corps logistics base barstow, calif. According to one estimate, in vietnam it took an ordinary infantryman 25,000 rounds per confirmed. All of this is frankly absurd, and has no place in a book thats touted as nonfiction. In just 16 months he killed 103 enemies and another 216 kills were listed as probables by the military. Jan 08, 2020 the nva were more likely to take prisoners but the vc were often too far south to march the prisoners to the camps in cambodia, laos or north vietnam. He served in the united states marine corps, third marine division, as a sniper. Marine corps gunnery sergeant carlos norman hathcock photo.
Carlos hathcock, a marine sniper during the vietnam war. In 16 months as a marine corps sniper in vietnam in 1968 and 1969, he killed 103 of the enemy. Virginia beachs legendary sniper carlos hathcock the. He is the author of the critically acclaimed military classics marine sniper and silent warrior, which first chronicled the exploits of usmc sniper. He graduated from high school in june 1967 and joined the u.
Dead center is a straightforward, no bs, skip the fluff, unglamorous account of ed kuglers two years as a marine sniper in vietnam. During some parts of the book, i would find myself engrossed in a particular section. The phoenix, legendary animal that comes to symbolize what rises from the ashes. Charles benjamin chuck mawhinney born 1949 is a former united states marine who holds the corps record for the most confirmed sniper kills, having recorded 103 confirmed kills and 216 probable kills in 16 months during the vietnam war. Marines in vietnam, 1965, the landing and the buildup, 197 8 u. May 04, 2018 usmc archives carlos hathcock with his brother and grandmothers. Marine corps infantrymen and reconnaissance marines that have graduated from a u. A sniper s vietnam, carlos hathcocks 93 confirmed kills was considered the vietnam record. A great book not just about a sniper of the period, but also highlights the struggles that divided north and south. Now this revolutionary book has been completely updated and expanded for the 21st century. Marine corps is replacing its existing sniper rifles with a newer model that fires a heavier, longerrange bullet. I would be especially interested in hearing the views of other members of the forum on this subject. Culbertson, a former 5th marine sniper himself, presents the riveting true stories of young americans who fought with bolt rifles and bounties on their heads during the fiercest combat of the war, from 1967 through.
One mans story of serving as a marine sniper during the early days of americas involvement in vietnam. Rollie pennington, the staff noncommissioned officer in charge of scout sniper course, school of infantry east, gives tips on the basics of cover and concealment. Marine corps later that yearafter the deer season following enlistment, he attended scout sniper school at camp pendleton and graduated in april 1968. In the annals of marine corps history, the name typically associated with sniping is gunnery sgt. Jun, 2016 a marine student undergoing the 2nd marine division combat skills centers prescout sniper course prepares to move during a stalking exercise at camp lejeune, n. He is a genius when it came to guns and he has serious combat savvy, but what i think makes bobby lee such a hit is the way he always tries to stand up for the little guy even. Usmc archives long before chris kyle penned american sniper, carlos hathcock was already a legend. Voir plus didees sur le theme guerre du vietnam, vietnam et guerre. One day during a forward observation mission, hathcock and his spotter encountered a newly. This marine was the american sniper of the vietnam war carlos hathcock taking aim in vietnam. Unlike print books, digital books are subject to vat.
Now i would like to talk a little about them again along with some of the supporting spotter weapons and equipment used by. I think this is an excellent book, and would recommend it to anyone looking for a good read. Was an avid hunter as a kid and joined the marines in 1967. He is the author of the critically acclaimed military classics marine sniper and silent warrior, which first chronicled the exploits of usmc sniper carlos hathcock. In the united states marine corps, the most dangerous job in combat is that of the sniper. Us marine gunnery sergeant carlos hathcock held the record from 1967 to 2002 at 2,286 m 2,500 yd. In 1962, he became the alltime long range champion. A vietnam war sniper crawled for 3 days across 2000m of. 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. Culbertson, a former 5th marine sniper himself, presents the riveting true stories of young americans who fought with bolt rifles and bounties on their heads during the fiercest combat of the war, from 1967 through the desperate tet battle for hue in early 68. As a sniper your goal is to completely demoralize the enemy, said the corporal, who played football and ran track in high school and dreams of becoming a high school coach. I found hendersons account of life on the ranges absolutely spot on. Both sniper and regular soldiers should learn countersniper tactics and best practices.
Badly wounded, the teams sole survivor, gunnery sergeant ray cruz, aka the cruise missile, is determined to finish his job. Marine corps during vietnam and holds the record for number of confirmed kills for marine snipers, exceeding that of legendary marine sniper carlos hathcock. He stalked the viet cong behind enemy lineson their own ground. Quantico, virginia the success of the film american sniper the story of how chris kyle became the deadliest sniper in u. The 5 most legendary snipers of all time americas military. Hathcock said in a book written about his career as a sniper. But wards account of mawhinneys 101 kills, most accomplished with his primary m40 modified remington 40x bolt action rifle with a redfield 39x accurange scope.
Here are two passages which i believe reading in some detail. A marine sniper team on a mission in tribal territories on the afghanpakistan border, whiskey 22 is ambushed by professionals using the latest hightech shooting gear. This makes carlos hathcock, the most extraordinary sniper in the vietnam war, a legendary figure in his own right. Marine sniper 93 confirmed kills by charles henderson paperback, reprin good books, my. Snipers are controversial figures and the vietnam war is a controversial war.
For marine snipers, war is up close and personal the. Hathcocks vietnam service ended when a vehicle he was in struck a land mine. White feather and his spotter, usmc, vietnam american veterans, american war. Oct 30, 2016 the two years kugler spent as a sniper with the u. By 1952, he was a nationals rifle shooting champion, and in 1968 a longrange. I started shooting at a very young age, and he taught me to shoot like the. Charles hendersons marine sniper is a dramatized account of the life of a vietnam war sniper. Carlos hathcock vietnam sniper charlie company vietnam. During two tours in vietnam, he was credited with 93 confirmed kills. That way, only snipers will learn antisniper tactics. A vietnam war sniper crawled for 3 days across 2000m of open. Scout snipers must earn the rank of lance corporal, be selected by their battalion to join the scoutsniper platoon.
Marine sniper with 98 confirmed kills 2nd highest marine sniper of the vietnam war. See more ideas about vietnam, vietnam war photos and vietnam war. The retired sergeant, who has lived on a mountainside south of big arm since 2000, has written several books about his war experiences, starting with dead center in 1999, in which he intimately shares his twoyear odyssey as a sniper. Find this pin and more on carlos hathcock by larry h. Marines in vietnam, 19541964, the advisory and combat assistance era, 1977 u. Aug 27, 2017 carlos hathcock is a marine corps sniper whose success in the vietnam war became legendary. Approximately fail at the marine scout sniper training course, it is one of the toughest schools in the marine corps. But there has only been one sergeant carlos hathcock. He estimated the number of unconfirmed kills to be upwards of 400. In the past months i have written a bit about the use of and primary rifles used by the usmc for sniping use in the vietnam war. He was a united states marine corps sniper with a service record of 93 confirmed kills and hundreds of probable kills during the vietnam war. The book is well written and outlines hathcocks shooting career and then his subsequent deployment to vietnam where he carries out the most audacious sniper. The marine snipers vietnam story continues 9780425188644.
It stands for begin the planning, arrange reconnaissance, make reconnaissance, complete the planning, issue the order, and supervise. The retired sergeant, who has lived on a mountainside south of big arm since 2000, has written several books about his war experiences, starting with dead center in 1999, in which he intimately shares his twoyear. Fighting the north vietnamese, 1967, like its predecessors, is largely based on the holdings of the marine corps historical center. Prior to the publication of fellow marine sniper joseph wards book, dear mom. Lee ermey spent 11 years in the marine corps, two of which were spent as being a drill instructor at marine corps recruit depot san diego from 196567. I was very pleased with my purchase of the book, and i can honestly reccomend it to anyone who wants to know of the hardships a u. Carlos hathcock, the subject of the biography, was born in 1942 and died in 1999. Promoted to staff sergeant and was medically retired for injuries received. Arrived in vietnam in 1968 spending 14 months attached to marine wing support group 17. Why we fear and admire the military sniper the boston globe.
He sustained burns to 40% of his body, but received the silver star for his actions in pulling seven fellow marines out of the burning vehicle. A sniper is a militaryparamilitary marksman who engages targets from positions of concealment or at distances exceeding the targets detection capabilities. Marine corps during the vietnam war in the 1960s are still never far from his mind. What are the differences between army, navy, and marine. A good in depth book about the marines and their snipeing equipment and problems they had to work out with them. He taught himself to shoot as a boy, just like alvin york and audie murphy before him. As a result, the snipers spotter wasnt allowed to be this acting third party and as a sniper often carried out work away from a third party this confirmed number was often lower than in reality.
Marine corps archives during the vietnam war hathcock had 93 confirmed kills of north vietnamese army and viet cong personnel, which meant they occurred with an officer present in addition to his spotter. Says he enlisted in the air force, but was trained at marine corps basic training at camp lejeune by marine drill sergeants for special service with the seals. To qualify for marine scout sniper school, the marine recruit must first earn the rank of lance corporal, and have an infantry military occupational specialty mos. The sniper initially started his deployment in vietnam as a military policeman before carrying out feats of stamina, skill, and endurance that wouldnt sound out of place in a historical fiction novel. The marine on the cover is a high school friend of mine. At the request of the commandant of the marine corps, gunnery sergeant vernon d. Covert paramilitary operations by the cia in vietnam began early in the sixties, but it was not until 1965, that the u. Beyond combat, hathcock was a championship shooter and a respected instructor in marksmanship and sniper skills. Stephen hunter opened the bob lee swagger series with the release of point of impact in 1993 featuring a good old boy from arkansas serving as a marine sniper in vietnam. Turner wrote a book, phantom of phu bai, about him. The explosive true story of sergeant carlos hathcock, a legendary marine sniper in the vietnam war. Reeds succeeding book which, in part, relates lessons learned about succeeding in life from being in the. The war was about slavery, but atrocities on both sides divided many an individual.