Chris Kyle

Chris Kyle was a sniper and a United States Navy Seal. He was born in 1978 in Odessa, Texas. He started shooting while still young. When he attained the age of eight, his father brought him his first rifle. After graduating from high school in Midlothian, Texas, Chris started his career as a professional rodeo rider before hurting his arm.

Joining the military

After his arm healed, Chris decided to join the military. Initially, he wanted to join the U.S. Marine Corps special operations, but one the recruiters advised him to enlist with the SEALS. Kyle was at first rejected because his arm had not properly healed. He got a call back later and was invited to the Basic Underwater Demolition Seal Schools in 1999. It was during his assignment to SEAL team three that he fought in Iraq and had his first long-range kill shot. He shot a woman who had a hand grenade and was approaching some marines. Kyle followed orders and shot her before she had a chance to detonate the grenade.

Record

As a U.S. NAVY Seal sniper, Kyle had an impressive record of accomplishment that saw him serve four tours in the Iraqi war. He was even nicknamed as the Devil of Ramada. Insurgents who wanted him captured put a bounty of $80,000 on his head. He was also nicknamed as the Legend by the marines and general infantry whom he had a duty to protect. In the duration of the Iraqi war, he survived six different explosions and was shot two times. While training, Kyle used four different weapons in order to gauge their effectiveness.

Over his career, Kyle is believed to have executed more than 160 kills while in combat. Additionally, Chris received different awards during his military life. He received five bronze star medals, two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, two Silver Star Medals and one Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal.

Return to civilian life

Kyle left the military in 2009. He struggled with civilian life. Soon after, he started his security company, CRAFT. Kyle wrote a book named as the American Sniper, which was later turned into a movie by Clint Eastwood. In 2013, Kyle and his friend Chad Littlefield were killed in a shooting range at Chalk Mountain, Texas. Eddie Ray Routh, a former marine, shot them.