Chris Kyle
Christopher Scott Kyle (April 8, 1974 – 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 160 confirmed kills and was awarded a Silver Star, three Bronze Star Medals with "V" devices for valor, 2x Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with "V" device, as well as numerous other unit and personal awards.
Chris Kyle | |
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Birth name | Christopher Scott Kyle |
Nickname(s) | "The Legend", "Devil of Ramadi", "Tex", "American Sniper" |
Born | Odessa, Texas, U.S. | April 8, 1974
Died | February 2, 2013 38) Erath County, Texas, U.S. | (aged
Buried | Texas State Cemetery |
Service/ | United States Navy |
Years of service | 1999–2009 |
Rank | Chief Petty Officer (Rating: Special Warfare Operator, formerly Intelligence Specialist) |
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Battles/wars | Iraq War
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Awards |
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Spouse(s) |
Taya Studebaker (m. 2002) |
Children | 2 |
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Kyle was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy in 2009, and published his bestselling autobiography, American Sniper, in 2012. A film adaptation of Kyle's book, directed by Clint Eastwood, and starring Bradley Cooper as Kyle, was released two years later. In 2013, Kyle was murdered by Eddie Ray Routh at the Rough Creek Lodge shooting range near Chalk Mountain, Texas. Routh, a former Marine, was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison with no possibility of parole.