Chris Kyle American sniper Date of Birth: 08.04.1974 Country: USA

Biography of Chris Kyle

Chris Kyle, the American sniper, always believed that "violence solves all problems, no matter what your mother tells you." Despite a bounty of $80,000 placed on his head by the enemy, the life of this American legend was cut short for a completely different reason. Christopher Scott "Chris" Kyle was born on April 8, 1974, in Odessa, Texas. He first picked up a rifle at the age of eight, a common practice in the tough state of Texas. Later, he armed himself with a shotgun and hunted pheasants, quails, and deer. While excelling academically and playing football and baseball in school, his education did not pan out as he dropped out of university in his second semester and pursued a career as a rodeo rider. However, a severe arm injury ended his rodeo career. As soon as his arm healed, Kyle headed to the military recruiting office, hoping to become a Navy SEAL. Although the American special forces were not keen on accepting people with metal plates in their arm, Kyle was eventually called up in 1999. Before his first deployment in Iraq, this Texan soldier participated in several classified operations, but it was the Middle East that transformed him into a legendary sniper. He remained in Iraq when American forces were just getting acquainted with the region in 2003. Kyle took part in the battles of Fallujah in 2004. Two years later, the Iraqi insurgents named him the "Devil of Ramadi." In 2008, the sniper returned to Baghdad, where he provided assistance and ensured a "green corridor" for incoming Marines. During the Iraqi campaign of 2003, Kyle "took out" his first enemy from a sniper rifle. The target was a female suicide bomber, heading towards the Marines with a child and a grenade in hand. Kyle believed that the soul of that corrupted woman was worth much less than the lives he saved. The US government recognized his bravery in Iraq and awarded him five Bronze Stars and two Silver Stars. The insurgents also acknowledged his achievements, putting a price on his head that increased from $21,000 to $80,000. Even when required to appear in official military attire, Kyle managed to look like a typical Texan. Often disregarding regulations, he traded his Kevlar helmet for an old baseball cap with Texas symbolism and swapped his boots for more comfortable hunting shoes. His cap proudly displayed his pride for his home state, making it clear to the enemy where the one who killed them one by one had come from. Officially, Kyle confirmed 160 kills with his sniper rifle. The previous record holder, American Carlos Hathcock, renowned for his involvement in the Vietnam War, had 93 confirmed kills to his name. The potential number of Kyle's kills reached 255. Kyle's departure from the Navy SEAL was prompted by his wife, Taya, who stated that over the past ten years, her husband appeared on TV more often than he was at home. Aware that up to 90% of marriages of American servicemen end in divorce, Kyle returned to his wife and two children in 2009. The family relocated to Midlothian, Texas. After spending a year idling in local bars, Kyle established a non-profit program that collaborated with an American fitness equipment retailer. Thanks to his efforts, many war veterans received free exercise equipment. In 2011, the organization "Craft International" was established by Kyle, inviting former Iraq war participants. The company focused on rehabilitating war veterans and training individuals for security firms. In 2012, the publishing house "Harper Collins" presented Kyle's autobiography, "American Sniper," in which he candidly revealed the reasons why he was born into this sinful world. The author's earnings, amounting to approximately $1.8 million, were donated to several charitable organizations. Already well-known before the book's publication, Kyle gained nationwide fame after its release. After leaving the Navy SEAL, Kyle had not had the opportunity to eliminate anyone for a whole year. Limited to shooting at stationary targets, Kyle recalled old times in 2011 when two robbers approached his black Ford F-350. One was armed with a shotgun, and the other had a pistol. Calmly, Kyle pulled out his Colt 1911 from his shoulder holster and fired multiple shots. The criminal with the shotgun received a bullet to the chest, while the second bullet tore apart the head of the owner of the pistol. Always attentive to the needs of veterans, Kyle established the charitable foundation "FITCO Cares," which provided free psychological counseling. If a soldier could prove their identity and service with documents, they were eligible for a small financial grant. Kyle actively participated in therapy, believing that his extensive experience would be useful in dealing with complex cases. One day, his neighbor Jodi Routh sought his help. Her son had recently returned from service in the Marine Corps and was struggling with depression. On the morning of February 2, 2013, Kyle and his close friend Chad Littlefield drove their Ford to 25-year-old Eddie Ray Routh, the same depressed son of Jodi. The three former soldiers went to a shooting range, where Eddie was supposed to find some relief. In reality, Kyle had brought many of his mentees here, genuinely believing that soldiers were missing the adrenaline rush from their past experiences. The landscape around them resembled Iraq, especially with the hills that perfectly fit the overall picture. The 25-year-old veteran, who had been in a psychiatric hospital twice, likely felt the atmosphere and perhaps had an unpleasant flashback. Otherwise, he would not have drawn his gun from his holster and shot the "Devil of Ramadi" in the head, and then done the same to Littlefield. The killer of the legendary sniper attempted to flee in the Ford F-350, but a short police chase on the highway ended when Eddie crashed into a police car in Lancaster, Texas. His trial was set to begin on May 5, 2014, but it was postponed due to difficulties with DNA testing. The official trial was rescheduled for February 2015. In 2014, Clint Eastwood directed the film "American Sniper," based on Kyle's memoirs and his wife's recollections. On February 2, 2015, exactly one year after Kyle's murder, Governor Greg Abbott declared it "Chris Kyle Day" in honor of the legendary Texan.