"This Marine Was The ‘American Sniper’ Of The Vietnam War" Topic

"Long before Chris Kyle penned "American Sniper," Carlos Hathcock was already a legend.

He taught himself to shoot as a boy, just like Alvin York and Audie Murphy before him. He had dreamed of being a U.S. Marine his whole life and enlisted in 1959 at just 17 years old. Hathcock was an excellent sharpshooter by then, winning the Wimbledon Cup shooting championship in 1965, the year before he would deploy to Vietnam and change the face of American warfare forever.

He deployed in 1966 as a military policeman, but immediately volunteered for combat and was soon transferred to the 1st Marine Division Sniper Platoon, stationed at Hill 55, South of Da Nang. This is where Hathcock would earn the nickname "White Feather" — because he always wore a white feather on his bush hat, daring the North Vietnamese to spot him — and where he would achieve his status as the Vietnam War's deadliest sniper in missions that sound like they were pulled from the pages of Marvel comics…"
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Amicalement
Armand

I met him several times at Gun shows while stationed in VA with the Marine Corps what a great Marine and better gentleman.

Seen him on the History Channel on a show about Snipers. They replayed a number of Sniper shows when the movie American Sniper was released. Some very good shows. It must have been a real effort to actually show "history". Not guys picking thru junk, BWCFs dickering over , GOBs in the Swamp hunt'n gaters, etc., etc., etc., etc. …

Haha, 'White Feather' plugged 'Apache' when she answered the call of nature.

His mano-to-mano duel with 'Cobra' is classic. Right through the scope, just like that scene in SPR.

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Why no mention of the book either here or in the article?

Because Gunny Hathcock was really kinda embarrassed about the whole thing, and didn't talk himself up.

Because Gunny Hathcock was really kinda embarrassed about the whole thing, and didn't talk himself up.

He also said "I really didn't like the killing," unlike a certain former sniper who created a bit of controversy lately.

I still think some are being too critical of Kyle. I'll freely admit, if I was still a soldier, after all that rad/fan islamists have done and continue to do. I believe, I'd like putting a round in many of their heads. Call me old fashioned, but I thinking killing the enemy in large numbers every chance you get is all part of winning battles. Of course I'm a big fan of calling-in CAS, FA, etc. too … But there may be something satisfying in "canoeing" some heads. Of the likes of Al Baghdadi, AZH, etc., and their minions … Just say'n …

Yeah 28mm Fanatik, that "certain former sniper" also died while trying to help out a fellow vet. What have you done today?

Yeah 28mm Fanatik, that "certain former sniper" also died while trying to help out a fellow vet. What have you done today?

Touché, Choctaw. While I admire his prowess in battle, patriotism and helping others cope with PTSD, he was also a bit of a narrow-minded braggart who admitted on TV that he wanted to (though he never did) shoot someone for just holding a Koran and told lies such as punching Jesse Ventura, shooting looters in New Orleans after Katrina, and killing a couple of would-be carjackers none of which happened. He's a hero but a flawed one, which makes him a 'human being' since nobody's perfect (except maybe God).

BTW I loved the movie and gave it an 'A': link

Gunnery Sergeant Hathcock was a living legend back in the day and as I understand still is in today's Corps. Back then, the weapon technology wasn't near that of present day.

Not sure, but I think there was either another Marine, or perhaps US Army Ranger that before the war's end had more confirmed kills. That information just came to light in recent years.

Tragic that Gunny Hathcock was medically discharged before getting his actual 20 years of service.

Would have been an honor to have met him and shook his hand.