American Sniper , Chris Kyle
Recently released military documents contradict claims made by Chris Kyle, which show the late U.S. Navy SEAL sniper earned fewer medals of valor than he claimed in his best-selling 2012 memoir, “American Sniper.” In the book, Kyle claims he won two Silver Stars and five Bronze Stars during four tours of duty in Iraq during his service from 1999 to 2009. Though his sharpshooting earned him the nickname the “Devil of Ramadi” from insurgents he aimed his rifle toward, documents obtained by the Intercept contradict Kyle’s valor claims and kill count. “The Navy considers the individual service member’s official military personnel file and our central official awards records to be the authoritative sources for verifying entitlement to decorations and awards,” Cullen James, a spokesperson for the Navy Personnel Command, said in a statement emailed to the online publication. Documents acquired by the Intercept from a Freedom of Information Act request shows Navy SEAL sniper Chris Kyle received fewer awards and killed fewer enemy fighters than Kyle claimed in his 2012 memoir. Pictured: Taya Kyle (r.) stands during the playing of taps during a memorial service for her husband at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Feb. 11, 2013…
