This week's Patriot and Hero is Gunnery Sergeant Carlos Hathcock. The Gunny was a Marine sniper during the Vietnam War. Gunny Hathcock developed his exceptional shooting skills as a young boy helping his family put food on the table. Gunny Hathcock served two tours in Vietnam, and only left after his track was blown up with an anti-tank mine. He saved seven men from the flaming vehicle but refused a Silver Star for his brave actions stating that he had only done what any of the others would have done, had they been awake. Thirty years later he was awarded the Silver Star despite his protests.
Gunny Hathcock had ninety-three confirmed kills, and many others that could not be confirmed, but is most famous for shooting another sniper sent to hunt him right through his scope. Despite what the MythBusters say, this is a proven fact, and a great piece of marksmanship. The Gunny was so effective in fact, that the NVA put a thirty-thousand dollar bounty on his head. The Gunny was so important to The Corps, that other snipers began to wear the Gunny's trademark white feather to deceive the enemy. Intentionally making themselves targets shows the great regard his peers had for him. After his accident, Gunny Hathcock help set up the U.S. Marine Scout Sniper School in Quantico, Virginia.
Gunny Hatchcock was forced to retire just fifty-five days short of his twenty years because he contracted Multiple-schlerosis. Unfortunately the Gunny felt that he had been run out of The Corps. After retirement, Gunny Hathcock trained police snipers from his hometown, and all over the country, at no charge from 1984 until his death in February 1999.
Gunnery Sergeant Hathcock was a great and brave man. He was also a great American who risked everything for his country. His acions during the war should be an inspiration to us all.
Gunny Hathcock had ninety-three confirmed kills, and many others that could not be confirmed, but is most famous for shooting another sniper sent to hunt him right through his scope. Despite what the MythBusters say, this is a proven fact, and a great piece of marksmanship. The Gunny was so effective in fact, that the NVA put a thirty-thousand dollar bounty on his head. The Gunny was so important to The Corps, that other snipers began to wear the Gunny's trademark white feather to deceive the enemy. Intentionally making themselves targets shows the great regard his peers had for him. After his accident, Gunny Hathcock help set up the U.S. Marine Scout Sniper School in Quantico, Virginia.
Gunny Hatchcock was forced to retire just fifty-five days short of his twenty years because he contracted Multiple-schlerosis. Unfortunately the Gunny felt that he had been run out of The Corps. After retirement, Gunny Hathcock trained police snipers from his hometown, and all over the country, at no charge from 1984 until his death in February 1999.
Gunnery Sergeant Hathcock was a great and brave man. He was also a great American who risked everything for his country. His acions during the war should be an inspiration to us all.
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