Chris Kyle

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Military Figure, Author. He is best remembered for his autobiographical book "American Sniper," a New York Times bestseller that described his military career as a US Navy SEAL sniper. His father was a Sunday school teacher and church deacon who taught him how to hunt and shoot at a young age. After graduating from high school he became a professional bronco rodeo rider but quit after severely injuring his arm. After his arm healed he decided to join the military and signed with the US Navy to become a SEAL. He was rejected for the SEALs due to the pins in his arm from his previous injury but was offered a chance to go to Basic Underwater Demolition SEAL School and joined the US Navy in 1999. During his ten-year military career he served four tours of duty as a sniper in Iraq as part of the Naval Special Warfare Command, he was shot twice, survived six separate improvised explosive device (IED) attacks, and totaled 160 confirmed kills, making him the most lethal sniper in American military history. During one of his deployments to Ramadi, Iraq, the insurgents placed a $20,000 bounty on his head (later raising it to $80,000), naming him "The Devil of Ramadi." In 2009 he separated from the US Navy with the rank of Chief Petty Officer and operated Craft International, which provides military, law enforcement, and civilian training, as well as private security and protection until his death. In 2012 his autobiography "American Sniper" was released by publisher Harper Collins. He also teamed with the non-profit FITCO Cares Foundation to provide free in-home fitness equipment as well as individualized programs, personal training, and life-coaching to needy veterans, Gold Star families, or those who suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). He and a companion, Chad Littlefield, were shot and killed at the Rough Creek Lodge shooting range in Erath County, Texas, by a fellow veteran whom they had taken to the gun range in an effort to assist him with his PTSD. Among his military awards and decorations include the Silver Star (with one award star), the Bronze Star (with Combat Distinguishing Service and 4 award stars), the Purple Heart (with one award star), the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (with one award star), the Navy Good Conduct Medal (with two service stars), The Iraq Campaign Medal (with one campaign star), the Marksmanship Medals for Rifle and Pistol Expert, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. (bio by: [fg.cgi?page=mr&MRid=47016546" target="_blank William Bjornstad)]

• Updated from Find A Grave Memorial by SmartCopy: Feb 14 2015, 4:47:40 UTC