Chris Kyle Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Chris Kyle

Birth name	Christopher Scott Kyle
Nickname(s)	"The Legend", "Devil of Ramadi", "Tex", "American Sniper"
Born	(1974-04-08)April 8, 1974 Odessa, Texas, U.S.
Died	February 2, 2013(2013-02-02) (aged 38) Erath County, Texas, U.S.
Buried	Texas State Cemetery
Service/branch	United States Navy
Years of service	1999–2009
Rank	Chief Petty Officer (Rating: Special Warfare Operator, formerly Intelligence Specialist)
Unit	SEAL Team 3
Battles/wars	Iraq War 2003 invasion of Iraq Battle of Al Faw Battle of Nasiriyah Second Battle of Fallujah Second Battle of Ramadi Iraq spring fighting of 2008 Siege of Sadr City
Awards	Silver Star Bronze Star Medal (3) Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal
Spouse(s)	Taya Kyle (m. 2002)
Children	2
Other work	American Sniper (2012) American Gun (2013)
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Christopher Scott Kyle (born April 8, 1974 – died February 2, 2013) was a United States Navy SEAL who served as a sniper. He completed four tours of duty in the Iraq War. He was recognized for his bravery and excellent service in combat. He was awarded the Silver Star, three Bronze Star Medals, and a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. He also received many other awards for his team and himself.

Early Life and Education
Joining the Military
- Being a Sniper
- Weapons He Used
Life After the Military
His Death
His Legacy
Images for kids
See also

Early Life and Education

Chris Kyle was born on April 8, 1974, in Odessa, Texas. He was the older of two sons. His father was a Sunday school teacher. When Chris was eight, his father gave him his first rifle. They used it to hunt animals like deer and pheasant. Chris and his brother also helped raise cattle.

Chris went to high school in Midlothian, Texas. After graduating in 1992, he became a professional bronco rider. This career ended when he hurt his arm badly. He then studied Ranch and Range Management at Tarleton State University for two years.

Joining the Military

Chris Kyle and Kevin Lacz at a SEAL Team 3 awards ceremony in Coronado, CA, on October 7, 2007

Chris Kyle wanted to join the military. He was interested in the U.S. Marine Corps special forces. However, a U.S. Navy recruiter convinced him to try for the SEALs instead. SEALs are a special operations force of the U.S. Navy.

He joined the Navy on August 5, 1998. He started his basic training in February 1999 and finished in April 1999. At first, he was not accepted because of pins in his arm from his injury. But he later got an invitation to the tough 24-week Basic Underwater Demolition/Sea, Air, Land (SEAL) training (BUD/S). He completed this training in March 2001.

After more training, he was assigned to SEAL Team 3. He served four tours of duty in the Iraq War. He took part in many important battles.

Being a Sniper

Chris Kyle became a very skilled sniper in Iraq. He was known for his many successful shots. The Navy officially confirmed over 150 of his successful shots. This was more than any other American service member at the time.

In his book, Chris Kyle wrote that the Navy recognized him for having more successful sniper shots than any other American. He said the exact number often changed.

Weapons He Used

During his training, Chris Kyle used different rifles to learn which one was best for different situations. In combat, he used several types of sniper rifles. These included:

A semi-automatic 7.62 NATO Mk 11 sniper rifle for patrols.
A 5.56 NATO Mk 12 Designated Marksman Rifle for city patrols.
A .300 Winchester Magnum sniper rifle.
Various rifles that used .338 Lapua Magnum bullets for very long-range shots.

Life After the Military

Kyle and his wife Taya in January 2012, signing autographs for his book American Sniper at Camp Pendleton

Taya Kyle in August 2013

Chris Kyle left the U.S. Navy in 2009. He moved to Midlothian, Texas, with his wife, Taya, and their two children. He became the president of Craft International. This company trained U.S. military and law enforcement teams.

In 2012, Chris Kyle's autobiography, American Sniper, was published. He had not planned to write a book at first. But he decided to do it because other books about SEALs were being written.

American Sniper was a very popular book. It stayed on The New York Times bestseller list for 37 weeks. This made Chris Kyle famous across the country.

Chris Kyle also worked with the FITCO Cares Foundation. This group created the Heroes Project. It helps veterans with disabilities, families who lost a loved one in service (Gold Star families), or those with PTSD. They provide free fitness equipment, training, and life coaching. In August 2012, Chris Kyle appeared on the TV show Stars Earn Stripes. On the show, celebrities teamed up with military or law enforcement experts. Chris Kyle was paired with actor Dean Cain.

His Death

Chris Kyle Memorial in Odessa, Texas

On February 2, 2013, Chris Kyle was killed by Eddie Ray Routh. This happened at a shooting range near Chalk Mountain, Texas. Eddie Ray Routh was a former Marine. He was later found guilty of the crime and sentenced to life in prison.

A memorial service for Chris Kyle was held at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on February 11. He was buried on February 12, 2013, at the Texas State Cemetery in Austin. His funeral procession traveled over 200 miles from Midlothian to Austin. Hundreds of people lined the highway, waving American flags, to honor him.

His Legacy

The signing of the "Chris Kyle Bill" at the Texas State Capitol in August 2013

Kyle's tombstone at the Texas State Cemetery in August 2018

The "Chris Kyle Memorial Highway Bill" was signed into law in Texas on June 3, 2015. This law named an 11-mile part of Highway 287 in Midlothian, Texas, after him. Signs for the highway were put up on February 16, 2016. Later, in 2018, a plaza and a road in Midlothian were also named after Chris Kyle.

The movie American Sniper (2014) is based on Chris Kyle's autobiography. Bradley Cooper played Chris Kyle in the film, and Sienna Miller played his wife, Taya Kyle. Bradley Cooper was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor. The movie was nominated for five other awards, including Best Picture. It won the Academy Award for Best Sound Editing.

On February 2, 2015, exactly two years after Chris Kyle's death, Texas Governor Greg Abbott declared the day "Chris Kyle Day."

A memorial for Chris Kyle was built in Odessa, Texas. It was paid for by private donations. This memorial, which includes a bronze statue, was revealed on July 28, 2016.