Carlos Hathcock - Marine Sniper

by Kevin Hagen
(Centreville, Virginia)

Carlos Hathcock was born on May 20, 1942 and died of complications of Multiple Sclerosis on February 23, 1999. He was a United States Marine Corps sniper with a record of 93 confirmed kills in Vietnam. He was the subject of four separate non-fiction books and is referenced in several fictional works and TV shows as well.

Gunnery Sergeant Hatchcock was badly burned when a vehicle he was riding in hit a mine in 1969. He personally rescued seven fellow Marines from the vehicle and was eventually awarded the Silver Star for Valor.

While being treated for the pain associated with the burns, it was discovered that he was suffering from MS. He was forced to take a medical retirement from the Marine Corps but remained active as a weapons instructor with the military and law enforcement.