Christopher Scott Kyle (April 8, 1974 â February 2, 2013) was a United States Navy SEAL sniper. He served four tours in the Iraq War and was awarded several commendations for acts of heroism and meritorious service in combat. He had over 150 kills. He was awarded the Silver Star, four Bronze Star Medals with “V” devices, a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and numerous other unit and personal awards.
Kyle went to a military recruiting office, as he was interested in joining the U.S. Marine Corps special operations. A U.S. Navy recruiter convinced him to try instead for the SEALs. He enlisted in the United States Navy on August 5, 1998.
Assigned to SEAL Team-3, sniper element, Platoon “Charlie” (later “Cadillac”), within the Naval Special Warfare Command, and with four tours of duty, Kyle served in many major battles of the Iraq War.[3] His first long-range kill shot was taken during the initial invasion when he shot a woman carrying a hand grenade approaching a group of Marines. CNN reported that the woman was cradling a toddler in her other hand. As ordered, Kyle opened fire, killing the woman before she could attack.
The Pentagon has officially confirmed more than 150 of Kyle’s kills (the previous American record was 109)
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