Kyle Gray

Christopher Scott Kyle, born in 1974, served as a United States Navy SEAL sniper with four tours in the Iraq War. He was recognized with several military awards, though the exact number and type of some decorations, specifically Silver Stars and Bronze Stars, were later clarified by the Navy following discrepancies in his retirement paperwork. Kyle was honorably discharged in 2009.

After his military service, Kyle authored the bestselling autobiography "American Sniper," published in 2012. The book detailed his combat experiences and garnered significant national attention. However, some accounts within the memoir faced scrutiny and legal challenges, including a defamation lawsuit filed by Jesse Ventura. Kyle was tragically murdered in 2013 at a shooting range. His life and military career were the subject of a posthumously released film adaptation of his book.

Born in Odessa, Texas, Christopher Kyle developed an early interest in firearms and hunting, with his father introducing him to rifles and shotguns. He spent his youth on a ranch, raising cattle and participating in rodeo until an arm injury ended his professional riding career. After attending college for two years, Kyle enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1998, aiming for special operations. He successfully completed Basic Underwater Demolition/Sea, Air, Land (SEAL) training and was assigned to SEAL Team-3 as a sniper. Kyle served multiple tours in Iraq, participating in significant battles and becoming one of the most effective snipers in U.S. military history, with his confirmed kills exceeding previous records.

During his service, Kyle was awarded numerous commendations, including the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and a Combat Action Ribbon. His autobiography and initial retirement documents listed two Silver Stars and five Bronze Stars with valor devices. However, the U.S. Navy later revised his official record, clarifying that he had been awarded one Silver Star and four Bronze Stars with valor. The Navy attributed this correction to an administrative error in his personnel file, stating Kyle himself played no role in the initial documentation beyond signing his discharge papers.

Following his honorable discharge in 2009, Kyle moved back to Texas and founded Craft International, a tactical training firm. In 2012, his autobiography, "American Sniper," was published, becoming a major bestseller. The book offered a direct account of his wartime experiences, including his perspective on the necessity of his actions to protect fellow soldiers. The memoir achieved widespread recognition, though some of its anecdotes were later questioned by media and led to legal disputes, most notably a defamation lawsuit brought by Jesse Ventura.

Kyle's memoir, "American Sniper," contained an account of an altercation with an individual he identified as Jesse Ventura. Ventura sued Kyle for defamation, alleging the incident described in the book never occurred. While the lawsuit continued after Kyle's death, a jury initially found Kyle's estate liable for defamation and unjust enrichment. An appeals court later overturned parts of the judgment, leading to a settlement out of court. Tragically, Chris Kyle was murdered in February 2013 by Eddie Ray Routh, a former Marine, at a Texas shooting range. Routh was subsequently convicted and sentenced to life in prison. A film adaptation of "American Sniper" was released posthumously in 2014.

“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.”

“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."”

“I had to do it to protect the Marines.”