Carlos Hathcock was a United States Marine Corps sniper with a service record during the Vietnam War. He was known for his exceptional marksmanship skills and is regarded as one of the greatest snipers in military history.

Hathcock was credited with 93 confirmed kills during the war, and is remembered for his bravery and service to his country.

He served two tours of duty in Vietnam and was awarded numerous medals for his service, including the Silver Star and the Purple Heart.

Early Life

Carlos Hathcock was born on May 20, 1942, in Little Rock, Arkansas, USA. He grew up hunting and fishing and had an early interest in firearms.

He taught himself to shoot at a young age, following in the footsteps of sharpshooting legends Alvin York and Audie Murphy.

His lifelong dream was to become a U.S. Marine, which he accomplished by enlisting at the age of 17 in 1959.

By the time he deployed to Vietnam, Hathcock had already established himself as a skilled marksman, having won the prestigious Wimbledon Cup shooting championship in 1965.

Legendary Sniper in Vietnam

During his service in the Vietnam War, Carlos Hathcock became known for his exceptional marksmanship skills and bravery under fire.

He served two tours of duty in the conflict and was credited with 93 confirmed kills, making him one of the most successful snipers in American military history.

One of the most famous actions of Carlos Hathcock during the Vietnam War was his pursuit of an enemy sniper known as "Cobra." Cobra was a highly skilled marksman who was terrorizing American troops and as was tasked with taking out Hathcock.

Hathcock embarked on a week-long solo mission, crawling through the jungle and exposing himself to enemy fire in order to get within range of Cobra. After several close calls and near misses, Hathcock finally spotted his target and took the shot, killing Cobra.

This mission earned Hathcock a reputation as one of the most skilled and daring snipers in military history and demonstrated his unwavering commitment to protecting his fellow servicemen.

The pursuit of Cobra is just one example of Hathcock's bravery and skill during the Vietnam War, and it cemented his legacy as a legend among Marines and military snipers.

Hathcock was also known for his willingness to put himself in harm's way to protect his fellow servicemen, and he frequently volunteered for dangerous missions.

Despite facing numerous close calls and being wounded in action, Hathcock continued to serve with distinction and was eventually awarded numerous medals for his service, including the Silver Star and the Purple Heart.

Decorated Marine

Carlos Hathcock was awarded numerous decorations for his service in the Vietnam War, including:

Silver Star: This is the third-highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Armed Forces for valor in the face of the enemy. Hathcock was awarded the Silver Star for his actions during a combat operation in Vietnam.

Purple Heart: This medal is awarded to members of the U.S. military who are wounded or killed in action. Hathcock was wounded several times during his service in Vietnam and was awarded the Purple Heart.

Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry: This medal was awarded to Hathcock by the South Vietnamese government in recognition of his service and bravery during the Vietnam War.

Marine Corps Rifle Expert Badge: This badge is awarded to Marines who demonstrate exceptional marksmanship skills. Hathcock was known for his exceptional shooting abilities and was awarded this badge.

These decorations, along with his numerous confirmed kills and his reputation as a skilled and fearless sniper, helped to establish Hathcock's legacy as one of the greatest snipers in military history.

After the Military

After retiring from the United States Marine Corps, Carlos Hathcock continued to serve as a marksmanship instructor and consultant.

He used his skills and experience to train the next generation of Marines and military snipers, and he was highly respected for his expertise. Hathcock also worked as a hunting guide and continued to be an avid outdoorsman.

In addition to his work as an instructor and consultant, Hathcock was active in veteran's organizations and was a strong advocate for the rights and benefits of veterans.

He was also a sought-after speaker and was often invited to speak at events and gatherings, where he shared his experiences and insights with audiences.

Hathcock passed away on February 23, 1999, but his legacy as one of the greatest snipers in military history continues to live on.

He is remembered as a hero and a symbol of bravery, skill, and selflessness, and he continues to inspire future generations of Marines and military personnel.