Chris Kyle

Chris Kyle

Kyle in January 2012
Birth name Christopher Scott Kyle[1]
Nickname(s) "The Legend", "Devil of Ramadi", "Tex"
Born (1974-04-08)April 8, 1974
Odessa, Texas, U.S.
Died February 2, 2013(2013-02-02) (aged 38)
Erath County, Texas, U.S.
Buried at Texas State Cemetery[2]
Allegiance United States
Service/branch  United States Navy
Years of service 1999–2009
Rank Chief Petty Officer E7[3]
Unit

U.S. Navy SEALs

Battles/wars Iraq War
Awards Silver Star Medal (1)
Bronze Star Medal (Valor) (4)
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with (V) (1)[4]
Spouse(s) Taya Kyle (m. 2002)[5]
Relations Wayne Kenneth Kyle (father)
Deby Lynn Mercer (mother)
Children: 2[6]
Other work American Sniper (2012)
American Gun (2013)[7]

Christopher Scott "Chris" Kyle (April 8, 1974 − February 2, 2013) was a United States Navy SEAL veteran and sniper. Kyle served four tours in the Iraq War and was awarded several commendations for acts of heroism and meritorious service in combat. He was awarded one Silver Star Medal, four Bronze Star Medals with "V" devices, a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and numerous other unit and personal awards.[4][8] Kyle was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy in 2009 and published his bestselling autobiography, American Sniper, in 2012. An eponymous film adaptation of Kyle's book, directed by Clint Eastwood, was released two years later. On February 2, 2013, Kyle was murdered by Eddie Ray Routh at a shooting range near Chalk Mountain, Texas.[9] A former Marine with PTSD, Routh was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison without parole.[10]

Early life

Kyle was born in Odessa, Texas, the first of two boys born to Deby Lynn (née Mercer) and Wayne Kenneth Kyle, a Sunday school teacher and deacon.[3][11] Kyle's father bought his son his first rifle at 8 years old, a bolt-action .30-06 Springfield rifle, and later a shotgun, with which they hunted deer, pheasant, and quail.[3] Kyle and his brother grew up raising up to 150 head of cattle at a time.[12] Kyle attended high school in Midlothian, Texas,[13] and after graduating, became a professional bronco rodeo rider and ranch hand, but his professional rodeo career ended abruptly when he severely injured his arm.[14]

Military career

After his arm healed, Kyle went to a military recruiting office, interested in joining the U.S. Marine Corps special operations. A U.S. Navy recruiter convinced him to try, instead, for the SEALs. Initially, Kyle was rejected because of the pins in his arm, but he eventually received an invitation to the 24-week Basic Underwater Demolition SEAL school (BUDS), which he joined in 1999.[14]

Assigned to SEAL Team 3, sniper element, platoon "Charlie" (later "Cadillac"),[15] within the Naval Special Warfare Command, and with four tours of duty, Kyle served in many major battles of the Iraq War.[3] His first long-range kill shot was taken during the initial invasion when he shot a woman approaching a group of Marines while carrying a hand grenade. CNN reported that the woman was cradling a toddler in her other hand.[16] As ordered, Kyle opened fire, killing the woman before she could attack.[17] He later stated, "the woman was already dead. I was just making sure she didn't take any Marines with her. It was clear that not only did she want to kill them, but she didn’t care about anybody else nearby who would have been blown up by the grenade or killed in the firefight. Children on the street, people in the houses, maybe her child."[15]

Because of his track record as a marksman during his deployment to Ramadi, the insurgents named Kyle Shaitan Ar-Ramadi (English: "The Devil of Ramadi"), and put a $21,000 bounty on his head that was later increased to $80,000. They posted signs highlighting the cross on his arm as a means of identifying him.[3][17]

In his book, American Sniper, Kyle describes his longest successful shot: in 2008, outside Sadr City, he killed an insurgent sniper aiming at other members of the US military with "a straight-up luck shot" from his McMillan Tac-338 sniper rifle from about 2,100 yards (1,920 m) away.[15]

Kyle became known as "The Legend" among the general infantry and Marines he was tasked to protect. The nickname originated among Kyle's fellow SEALs following his taking of a sabbatical to train other snipers in Fallujah, and he was sometimes called "The Myth".[18] During four tours of duty in the Iraq War, he was shot twice and survived six separate IED detonations.[17]

Number of kills as a sniper

While the Navy, Pentagon, and U.S. Special Operations Commands (SOC) have not challenged the claim that Kyle was the current top sniper, his exact number of sniper kills is obscure. To be counted as confirmed, "They basically had to see the person fall and be clearly dead", according to Jim DeFelice, one of the coauthors of Kyle's autobiography.[19] Kyle's shooter's statements (shooter's statements are filled out by every sniper after a mission) were reported to higher command, who kept them in case any kill were contested as outside the rules of engagement (ROE).[15] The publisher HarperCollins states: "The Pentagon has officially confirmed more than 150 of Kyle's kills (the previous American record was 109), but it has declined to verify the astonishing total number for this book."[20] In his autobiography, Kyle wrote:

"The Navy credits me with more kills as a sniper than any other American service member, past or present. I guess that's true. They go back and forth on what the number is. One week, it's 160 (the 'official' number as of this writing, for what that's worth), then it's way higher, then it's somewhere in between. If you want a number, ask the Navy—you may even get the truth if you catch them on the right day."[15][21]

On July 8, 2016, the U.S. Navy corrected Kyle's DD Form 214 regarding some decorations listed on his original discharge document.[22] The original discharge papers issued to him upon leaving the service (a DD-214) tally with his account given in his autobiography, of two Silver Stars and five Bronze Stars with valor. The Navy revised it to one Silver Star and four Bronze Stars with valor.[22] The Navy said "Kyle would have played no role in the production of his personnel files other than signing the DD-214 upon his discharge" and "[a]fter thoroughly reviewing all available records, the Navy determined an error was made" and "issued a corrected copy of the DD214, which accurately reflects Kyle's years of honorable and extraordinary service."[22]

Weapons

As a sniper, Kyle was often asked about his weapons. While in training, he used four different rifles in order to know which weapon was the most useful in the given situation. In the field, he used the following:[15]

Post-military life

Taya Kyle in August 2013

Kyle left the U.S. Navy in 2009 and moved to Midlothian, Texas, with his wife, Taya, and two children.[23] He was president of Craft International, a tactical training company for the U.S. military and law enforcement communities.[24]

In 2012, HarperCollins released Kyle's autobiography, American Sniper.[15] Kyle had initially hesitated to write the book but was persuaded to move forward because other books about SEALs were underway.[25] In his book, Kyle wrote bluntly of his experiences. Of the battle for control of Ramadi he says: "Force moved that battle. We killed the bad guys and brought the leaders to the peace table. That is how the world works."[26] In the book and ensuing interviews, Kyle stated he had no regrets about his work as a sharpshooter, saying, "I had to do it to protect the Marines."[27]

American Sniper had a 37-week run on The New York Times bestseller list and brought Kyle national attention.[28] Following its release, media articles challenged some of Kyle's anecdotes,[29] but the core of his narrative was widely accepted. "Tales of his heroism on the battlefield were already lore in every branch of the armed forces", writes Michael J. Mooney, author of a biography of Kyle.[30]

Kyle paired with FITCO Cares Foundation, a nonprofit organization which created the Heroes Project to provide free in-home fitness equipment, individualized programs, personal training, and life-coaching to in-need veterans with disabilities, Gold Star families, or those suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).[31] On August 13, 2012, Kyle appeared on the reality television show Stars Earn Stripes, which features celebrities pairing up with a special operations or law enforcement professional who train them in weapons and combat tactics. Kyle was teamed with actor Dean Cain.[32]

Defamation lawsuit

In Kyle's book American Sniper, Kyle wrote a subchapter titled "Punching Out Scruff Face" about an alleged altercation in a bar. In the book he claims he punched a man he refers to as "Scruff" who told Kyle, "You deserve to lose a few."[29] Kyle later identified Scruff Face as Jesse Ventura in interviews he did to promote the book.[33] According to Kyle, the encounter took place at McP's, a bar in Coronado, California, on October 12, 2006, during a wake for Kyle's comrade, Michael A. Monsoor, a U.S. Navy SEAL and Medal of Honor recipient who had been killed in Iraq.[34]

On January 4, 2012, Kyle appeared on Opie and Anthony to discuss his book.[35] On the show Kyle alleged that the character "Scruff" in his book is former Governor of Minnesota Jesse Ventura.[36][37]

Following these allegations, Ventura denied the incident had happened, and filed a lawsuit in January 2012 against Kyle for charges of defamation, appropriation, and unjust enrichment.[38][39] After Kyle was killed the following year, Ventura continued the lawsuit against Kyle's estate.[40]

On July 29, 2014, the jury returned a divided verdict of 8 to 2 that Kyle was guilty of defamation and unjust enrichment, and not guilty of appropriation. The jury concluded that the Kyle estate owed Ventura $500,000 for defamation, and $1.34 million for unjust enrichment.[41][42][43]

Kyle's widow appealed the verdict on behalf of Kyle's estate.[44] Attorneys for Kyle's estate asked the appeals court to throw out the verdict or at least order a new trial, because a lawyer for Ventura told jurors that the $1.8 million judgment would be paid for by Kyle's book publisher's insurance policy, not his estate.[45] In June 2016, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit threw out the $1.8 million in part due to the revelation of the insurance policy by Ventura's attorneys to the jury. The $1.35 million in "unjust enrichment" was overturned and dismissed as being inconsistent with Minnesota law. The $500k defamation suit was remanded back to trial.[46][47]

Death

On February 2, 2013, Kyle and his friend, Chad Littlefield, 35, were shot and killed by Eddie Ray Routh at the Rough Creek Ranch-Lodge-Resort shooting range in Erath County, Texas.[48] Both Kyle and Littlefield were armed with .45-caliber 1911-style pistols when they were killed, but neither gun had been unholstered or fired, and the safety catches were still on. Kyle was killed with a .45-caliber pistol, while Littlefield was shot with a 9mm SIG Sauer handgun. Both guns belonged to Kyle.[9]

Routh was a 25-year-old U.S. Marine Corps veteran from Lancaster, Texas.[49] Kyle and Littlefield had reportedly taken Routh to the gun range in an effort to help him with his post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Routh had been in and out of mental hospitals for at least two years and had been diagnosed with schizophrenia.[9] His family also said he suffered from PTSD from his time in the military.[50][51] On the way to the shooting range, Kyle texted Littlefield, "This dude is straight up nuts." Littlefield responded, "Watch my six", military slang meaning "watch my back".[52] Four months later, while he was in his jail cell, Routh shared with former Erath County Sheriff's Deputy Gene Cole: "I was just riding in the back seat of the truck, and nobody would talk to me. They were just taking me to the range, so I shot them. I feel bad about it, but they wouldn't talk to me. I’m sure they've forgiven me."[9]

After the killings, Routh went to his sister's house in Midlothian and told her what he had done. His sister, Laura Blevins, called 9-1-1 and told the emergency operator: "They went out to a shooting range ... Like, he's all crazy. He's ... psychotic."[9][53] Local police captured Routh after a short freeway chase, which ended when Routh, who fled the scene in Kyle's Ford F-350 truck, crashed into a police cruiser in Lancaster.[54]

Routh was arraigned February 2, 2013, on two counts of capital murder, and was taken to the Erath County Jail for holding under a $3 million bond.[55] His trial was set to begin May 5, 2014 but was delayed to allow more time to comply with DNA testing requirements.[56] The trial began on February 11, 2015.[57]

A memorial service was held for Kyle at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on February 11, 2013. He was buried on February 12, 2013, at the Texas State Cemetery in Austin, after the funeral cortege journeyed from Midlothian to Austin, more than 200 miles (320 km).[58] Hundreds of people lined Interstate 35 to view the procession and pay their final respects to Kyle.[59][60]

On February 24, 2015, Routh was found guilty of killing Kyle and Littlefield. The jury returned the verdict after less than three hours of deliberations. Since prosecutors decided beforehand not to seek the death penalty, the trial judge, Jason Cashon, immediately sentenced Routh to life in prison with no possibility of parole.[61][62]

Routh is imprisoned at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Powledge Unit near Palestine, Texas.[63]

Legacy

The signing of the "Chris Kyle Bill" at the Texas State Capitol in August 2013

In August 2013, Texas governor Rick Perry signed Senate Bill 162, also known as the "Chris Kyle Bill", to recognize military training in the issuance of occupational licenses. The bill had been co-sponsored by Republican Representative Dan Flynn of Van and Democratic Senator Leticia Van de Putte of San Antonio. The ceremony was attended by Kyle's widow Taya.[64]

Sculptor Greg Marra created a memorial statue of Kyle for presentation to his widow. Fundraising for production of the statue was provided by members of the Tea Party movement.[65][66]

Clint Eastwood's film American Sniper (2014) is based on Kyle's autobiography. Kyle is portrayed by Bradley Cooper, and his wife Taya Kyle is portrayed by Sienna Miller.[67] For his portrayal of Kyle, Cooper received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor, and the film was nominated in five other categories, including Best Picture.[68] The film won the Academy Award for Best Sound Editing.[69]

On February 2, 2015, exactly two years after Kyle's murder, Texas Governor Greg Abbott declared the day "Chris Kyle Day".[70][71][72]

Awards and decorations

The Navy revised Chris Kyle's list of awards on June 14, 2016.[4][73]

Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Badge SEAL Insignia
1st Row Silver Star Bronze Star Medal (4) w/ Combat V Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal w/ Combat V
2nd Row Combat Action Ribbon Navy Unit Commendation w/ 2 service stars Navy Good Conduct Medal w/ 2 service stars
3rd Row National Defense Service Medal Iraq Campaign Medal w/ 3 campaign stars Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
4th Row Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Sea Service Deployment Ribbon w/ 3 service stars Rifle Marksmanship Medal (Expert)
Badge Navy and Marine Corps Parachutist Insignia

See also

Bibliography

References

  1. ↑ Bernstein, Adam (February 4, 2013). "Chris Kyle, Navy Seal and author of 'American Sniper', dies". The Washington Post. Christopher Scott Kyle was born in 1974
  2. ↑ Jamie Stengle; Paul J. Weber; Angela K. Brown (February 12, 2013). "Procession escorts ex-Navy SEAL Kyle to burial". Army Times. Associated Press. Retrieved February 15, 2013.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Buiso, Gray (January 1, 2012). "Meet the big shot – SEAL is America's deadliest sniper". New York Post. Retrieved January 3, 2012.
  4. 1 2 3 Larter, David (July 8, 2016). "Navy: SEAL Chris Kyle never earned a 2nd Silver Star". Navy Times. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
  5. ↑ "Taya Renae Kyle profile". Cemetery.state.tx.us. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
  6. ↑ "'American Sniper' Widow Recalls Heartbreaking Moment Kids Learned Navy SEAL Dad Chris Kyle Had Been Killed". Christian Post. Retrieved January 30, 2015.
  7. ↑ Kyle, Chris & Doyle, William (June 2013). American Gun. HarperCollins.
  8. ↑ Brook, Tom Vanden (July 8, 2016). "Navy lowers medal count for SEAL Chris Kyle". USA Today. Archived from the original on July 8, 2016. Retrieved July 9, 2016.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 Lamothe, Dan (February 13, 2015). "The fatal intersection of Navy SEAL Chris Kyle and the Marine veteran who killed him". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 14, 2016.
  10. ↑ Madeline Boardman (February 25, 2015). "Eddie Ray Routh Found Guilty of Murder in Shooting Death of American Sniper's Chris Kyle". Us Weekly. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  11. ↑ "Christopher Scott Kyle, Texas, Birth Index, 1903-1997". FamilySearch. Retrieved January 4, 2015.
  12. ↑ Cartwright, Keith Ryan (January 29, 2014). "CHRIS KYLE HAD A LOVE FOR THE COWBOY LIFESTYLE". Professional Bull Riders. Retrieved May 28, 2016.
  13. ↑ "The Life and Legend of Chris Kyle: American Sniper, Navy SEAL". Retrieved January 30, 2015.
  14. 1 2 "Special Operations Forces Profile: Chris Kyle". Military.com. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Kyle, Chris; McEwen, Scott; DeFelice, Chris (February 5, 2012). American Sniper. Harper Collins. ISBN 0-06-208235-3.
  16. ↑ "'Chris Kyle, America's deadliest sniper, offered no regrets'". February 5, 2013. Retrieved January 1, 2015.
  17. 1 2 3 Sanchez, Raf (January 2, 2012). "'The Devil of Ramadi' named America's deadliest sniper". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved January 2, 2012.
  18. ↑ Kyle, Chris (2012). American Sniper. HarperCollins.
  19. ↑ Briggs, Bill (July 30, 2014). "Confirmed kills: A solemn secret for military snipers is becoming a pop-culture hit". NBC News. Archived from the original on September 2, 2013. Retrieved September 5, 2014.
  20. ↑ "About The Book". American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History. HarperCollins. Archived from the original on January 11, 2012. Retrieved June 22, 2012.
  21. ↑ "Chris Kyle: al-Shaitan of Iraq". March 14, 2012. Retrieved February 13, 2013.
  22. 1 2 3 Crawford, Jamie. "Navy: 'American Sniper' medal count corrected". CNN.
  23. ↑ Kyle, Chris; McEwen, Scott; DeFelice, Chris (January 2, 2012). "American Sniper". Harper Collins. Retrieved January 2, 2012.
  24. ↑ "Craft International". Retrieved August 10, 2012.
  25. ↑ Fernandez and Michael Schwirtz, Manny (February 3, 2013). "Untouchable in Iraq, Ex-Sniper Dies in a Shooting Back Home". The New York Times. Retrieved January 14, 2015.
  26. ↑ Perry, Scott (March 5, 2012). "Book review: 'American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History' by Chris Kyle, Scott McEwen and Jim DeFelice". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 14, 2015.
  27. ↑ Botelho, Greg, Joe Johns and Ted Metzger (February 5, 2013). "Police: Man accused of killing ex-SEAL said he had PTSD, was hurting". CNN. CNN.com. Retrieved January 14, 2015.
  28. ↑ Pulliam Bailey, Sarah (January 14, 2014). "Here's the faith in the 'American Sniper' you won't see in the film". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 14, 2015.
  29. 1 2 LaMothe, Dan (July 30, 2014). "Jesse Ventura vs. Chris Kyle: A case where no one won". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 14, 2016.
  30. ↑ Hoinski, Michael (December 22, 2014). "The Controversial True Story Behind 'American Sniper'". Men's Journal Magazine. Retrieved January 14, 2015.
  31. ↑ "Fitco Cares". Fitcocares.org. Retrieved August 10, 2012.
  32. ↑ "Stars Earn Stripes Bio for Chris Kyle". Nbc.com. Retrieved September 8, 2012.
  33. ↑ Staff (June 13, 2016). "Court tosses out Jesse Ventura's $1.8mn verdict against 'American Sniper'". RT International. TV-Novosti. Associated Press. Retrieved June 13, 2016.
  34. ↑ Kyle, Chris (2012). American Sniper. HarperCollins. ISBN 978-0062082350.
  35. ↑ The Opie & Anthony Show. Sirius XM. January 4, 2012. Satellite Radio.
  36. ↑ Mike Opelka. "Why Did the 'Deadliest' SEAL Sniper Punch Jesse Ventura in the Face?". The Blaze.
  37. ↑ Stern, Mark Joseph. "American Liar 38.3k 251 1.5k Why Jesse Ventura is likely to collect millions from Chris Kyle's American Sniper.". Slate.com. The Slate Group LLC. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
  38. ↑ Browning, Dan (February 24, 2012). "Jesse Ventura aims to get even with Navy SEAL in court". Star Tribune. Retrieved June 9, 2013.
  39. ↑ "The Ventura Verdict". The New Yorker. July 30, 2014. Retrieved January 30, 2015.
  40. ↑ Chasmar, Jessica (June 2, 2013). "Ex-Minn. Gov. Jesse Ventura sues Navy SEAL Chris Kyle's widow". The Washington Times. Retrieved June 9, 2013.
  41. ↑ Jesse Ventura v. Chris Kyle (District of Minnesota United States District Court August 7, 2014). Text
  42. ↑ "Jury awards Jesse Ventura $1.8 million in 'American Sniper' lawsuit". The Dallas Morning News. July 29, 2014. Retrieved July 29, 2014.
  43. ↑ "Chris Kyle trial: Jesse Ventura wins $1.8 million in defamation case". The Oregonian. Associated Press. July 29, 2014. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  44. ↑ "'American Sniper' widow to appeal Ventura defamation verdict". Mprnews.org. December 23, 2014. Retrieved December 25, 2014.
  45. ↑ "Here's Why Jesse Ventura Could Lose Lawsuit Against Chris Kyle's Estate on Appeal". Fox News Insider. October 20, 2015.
  46. ↑ "Court throws out $1.8 million judgment against 'American Sniper' Chris Kyle's estate".
  47. ↑ "No. 14-3876" (PDF).
  48. ↑ "Noted sniper slain at Erath County gun range". Fox4News. February 5, 2013. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  49. ↑ Collins, Laura (February 2, 2013). "Father of Chris Kyle killer Eddie Ray Routh is already mourning the loss of his son". Daily Mail. Retrieved January 4, 2015.
  50. ↑ Schwirtz, Michael (February 3, 2013). "'American Sniper' Author Shot to Death in Texas". The New York Times. Retrieved February 3, 2013.
  51. ↑ "Man charged in fatal shooting of ex-SEAL/author". Yahoo! News. February 3, 2013. Retrieved February 3, 2013.
  52. ↑ "Chris Kyle's Widow Breaks Down on the Stand and the Chilling Text Message". ABC News. February 11, 2015. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  53. ↑ Beil, Laura (November 5, 2013). The Enemy Within: The Inside Story of Eddie Routh, the Man Accused of Killing Legendary "American Sniper" Chris Kyle. Rodale.
  54. ↑ "Author of 'American Sniper' among the dead at Rough Creek". yourstephenvilletx.com. February 2, 2013. Archived from the original on February 6, 2013. Retrieved February 3, 2013.
  55. ↑ Copeland, Larry (February 3, 2013). "Ex-SEAL Chris Kyle remembered after shooting death". USA Today.
  56. ↑ "Chris Kyle Murder Trial Delayed". Local News. nbcdfw.com. May 2, 2014. Retrieved May 4, 2014.
  57. ↑ Jervis, Rick (February 12, 2015). "At 'American Sniper' murder trial, a psychosis defense". USA TODAY. Retrieved February 12, 2015.
  58. ↑ "Chris Kyle Funeral Procession Arrives in Austin. NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth". Nbcdfw.com. February 12, 2013. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
  59. ↑ "Details announced for Navy SEAL Chris Kyle's memorial service at Cowboys Stadium". The Scoop Blog. Retrieved January 4, 2015.
  60. ↑ "Residents Line I-35 to Pay Respects to Slain Navy SEAL". Kwtx.com. February 12, 2013. Retrieved January 4, 2015.
  61. ↑ Kalthoff, Ken; Mone, John L. (February 25, 2015). "Jury Returns Guilty Verdict in 'American Sniper' Trial". NBCUniversal Media. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
  62. ↑ Ed Payne, Dana Ford and Jason Morris (February 24, 2015). "Jury finds Eddie Ray Routh guilty in 'American Sniper' case". CNN. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  63. ↑ "Routh, Eddie Ray". Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Archived from the original on December 27, 2015. Retrieved December 28, 2015.
  64. ↑ Fountain, Phil (August 28, 2013). "Perry signs 'Chris Kyle Bill,' allows military experience for Texas state licenses". Defense Video & Imagery Distribution System. United States Department of Defense. Retrieved January 24, 2015.
  65. ↑ Lilley, Kevin (March 17, 2013). "Chris Kyle statue created for SEAL's widow". USA Today. Retrieved January 24, 2015.
  66. ↑ Harper, Jennifer (November 10, 2013). "Tea party to honor fallen SEALs Chris Kyle, those at Benghazi with sculptures". The Washington Times. Retrieved January 24, 2015.
  67. ↑ Verrier, Richard (April 23, 2014). "Eastwood starts shooting 'American Sniper' at Santa Clarita ranch". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 5, 2014.
  68. ↑ Hipes, Patrick (January 15, 2015). "Oscar Nominations 2015: Full List Of 87th Academy Award Nominees". Deadline. Retrieved January 30, 2015.
  69. ↑ Chumley, Cheryl K. (February 23, 2015). "'American Sniper' wins Academy Award — for sound editing". The Washington Times. Retrieved February 23, 2015.
  70. ↑ Holley, Peter (February 2, 2015). "Texas Gov. Greg Abbott Declares 'Chris Kyle Day' As 'American Sniper' Continues to Surge". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  71. ↑ "Greg Abbott Declares Feb. 2 'Chris Kyle Day'". U.S. News & World Report. Associated Press. January 30, 2015. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  72. ↑ Howell, Kellan (January 30, 2015). "Gov. Abbott Declares 'Chris Kyle Day' in Texas: 'We Honor Our Military Heroes'". The Washington Times. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  73. ↑ "Kyle DD214 New" (PDF). Navy Times. July 8, 2016. Retrieved July 11, 2016.

Further reading

Interviews

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