About Chris Kyle
Christopher Scott Kyle (April 8, 1974 – February 2, 2013) was born to parents, Wayne and Deby Kyle. He has a younger brother, Jeff who is a Marine Corps Veteran – serving from 2000 to 2008. Before entering the Navy, he attended Tarleton State in Stephenville, Texas where he rode bucking horses and worked ranches in that same area. A debilitating arm injury from rodeo competition almost cut his hopes of becoming a Navy SEAL, but in true Kyle fashion, he persevered and graduated BUD/S (Basic Underwater Demolition / SEAL) with Class 233.
From 1999 to 2009, U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Kyle recorded the most sniper kills in United States military history. Iraqi insurgents feared Kyle so much, they named him al-Shaitan (“the devil”} and placed a bounty on his head. Kyle earned legendary status among his fellow Teammates, Marines, and other military soldiers and airmen, whom he protected with deadly accuracy from rooftops and stealth positions.
Chief Kyle served four combat tours in Operation Iraqi Freedom and other clandestine operations for the United States Navy and Marines. For his unrelenting bravery in battle, he was awarded two Silver Stars, five Bronze Stars with Valor, two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, as well as one Navy and Marine Corps Commendation. The Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs awarded him with the Grateful Nation Award. He was shot twice, survived multiple helicopter crashes and was involved in six IED attacks.
Following his combat deployments, he became Chief Instructor for training Naval Special Warfare Sniper and Counter Sniper teams. In addition, Kyle authored the Naval Special Warfare Doctrine, the first Navy SEAL sniper manual and devoted much of his spare time helping disabled Veterans.
Gripping and unforgettable, Chris’s masterful account of his incredible battlefield experiences in the New York Times bestselling book “American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. History” ranks as one of the greatest war memoirs of all time.
Before his untimely passing in 2013, Chris was a devoted son, brother, husband and father in North Texas, as well as continuing his efforts to helping Veterans re-acclimate to civilian life and combat stress carried home.
A Letter From the Kyle Family
From cowboy boots to combat boots… Chris’s dreams were to be a cowboy and a Navy SEAL. He accomplished both with a determination that is rarely seen. He loved the country life with cattle and especially horses. He learned to ride at an early age and then began to rodeo. From that he became an accomplished cowboy with his ability to break and train horses. Up before dawn, in the saddle all day to way past dark at times. He was extremely happy, but one goal was yet to be accomplished, Navy SEAL. When he got the call to inquire about his interest, he jumped at the opportunity. Several people told him he could never become a SEAL. Well, one thing is for sure, you never told Chris he could never do anything because he would prove you wrong… His service to his Beloved Country is a testament to his determination, fortitude, conviction, and warrior spirit. He achieved his goal.
The following is a small part of our letter written to Chris on the day of his Memorial:
“Your courage of conviction, your strength to perservere and the hope that survives disappointments are the keys to your success in life. You embraced and lived the slogan, “Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.”
Our goal is to annually carry on Chris’s legacy through this event by living his motto, “It’s our duty to serve those who serve us.”® Thank you for helping us with this endeavor… Your attendance, sponsorship, purchase of gear and/or apparel all goes directly to those who have proudly served this incredible Country.
