Posted on Leave a comment
EVERYDAY HERO STORIES

Gunnery Sergeant Carlos Hathcock II

I like shooting, and I love hunting. But I never did enjoy killing anybody. It's my job.

93 confirmed kills marks a legendary hero. Yet, GySgt Carlos Hathcock’s actual number of kills is said to be much higher. During his time as a sniper, Hathcock relays that his main motivation was to do his duty and protect his friends.

Hathcock once guessed that he’d taken out 300-400 enemies during his time as a U.S. Marine Corps sniper in the Vietnam War. 

And he states that throughout it all, he carried one thought in his head: “Take down the enemy.” 

THE NICKNAME

Hathcock’s reputation quickly spread among the Viet Cong and NVA, nicknaming him Du kích Lông Trắng (“White Feather Sniper”) because of the white feather he wore tucked into the band of his bush hat. A bold display of confidence.

In one of his most famous encounters, Hathcock faced off against an enemy sniper (said to be known as The Cobra) sent specifically to kill him. With superior observational skill, Hathcock spotted a glint of sunlight reflecting off the enemy’s scope and fired, killing the sniper before he could take the shot.

Patience, cunningness, and instincts all contribute to survival in the Vietnam jungle. Hathcock embodied what it took to get the job done and protect his fellow Marines.

THE 2,500 YARD SHOT

It has since been beaten but Hathcock was the first to make the record-breaking kill from 2,500 yards (over 1.4 miles). He used a .50 caliber Browning M2 machine gun modified with a scope. This feat stood as a world record for decades.

After the war, Hathcock shared much of his knowledge and stories. He continued to educate on the importance of staying focused for the job and keeping an eye on your friends.

What a hero. We’d love to share war stories over some bourbon with this legend.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *