Adelbert Waldron III American sniper Date of Birth: 14.03.1933 Country: USA

1. Legendary Sniper A.F. Waldron III
2. Early Life and Career
3. Vietnam War Service
4. Accomplishments
5. Life after the War
6. Legacy

Legendary Sniper A.F. Waldron III

Assistant Sergeant First Class Adelbert F. Waldron was a highly skilled and decorated U.S. sniper who served in the Vietnam War.

Early Life and Career

Not much is known about Waldron's early life or career path before he joined the military. However, his exceptional shooting skills and dedication to his craft became evident during his time in the war.

Vietnam War Service

Waldron was assigned to the 9th Infantry Division's Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol (LRRP) unit. He first entered combat in December 1968. During his time in Vietnam, Waldron distinguished himself as a sharpshooter with an uncanny ability to engage targets with precision.

One notable incident occurred on a Mekong River patrol. Enemy sniper fire targeted the U.S. vessel from the shore, a distance of approximately 900 meters. Amidst the chaos, Waldron steadied his M-14 rifle and took a single shot, eliminating the threat from a sniper perched in a coconut tree.

Accomplishments

According to Michael Lee Lanning's book "Inside the Crosshairs," Waldron recorded 92 confirmed kills in his first five months as a sniper in the 9th Infantry Division. He achieved an astounding nine kills in a single night, shooting from a single elevation with his M-14.

Waldron's total confirmed kills are estimated to be around 113, making him one of the most successful snipers in U.S. history. His tally surpasses that of other renowned snipers, including Carlos Hathcock (93 kills), Eric R. England (98 kills), and Chuck Mawhinney (103 kills).

Life after the War

After leaving Vietnam in 1969, Waldron continued to serve as a sniper instructor at the SIONICS training facility in Georgia. He was the recipient of two Distinguished Service Crosses for his actions during 1969.

Legacy

Adelbert F. Waldron is remembered as an exceptional sniper and a dedicated soldier. Despite his outstanding accomplishments, his name remains less well-known than some of his peers. Nevertheless, his precision, courage, and unwavering focus left an indelible mark on the annals of U.S. military history. He passed away in 1995 and was laid to rest at Riverside National Cemetery in California.