Military
This is America's Most Lethal Sniper, Ever: The Top 25 Ranked
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A sniper’s ability to eliminate far away targets while keeping their position concealed has played a significant role in military history. The term “sniper” began to be used more commonly during World War I, where they were utilized to break up trench warfare. (check out the deadliest snipers of World War II.)
A majority of the snipers discussed on this list served in the Vietnam War, where the role was finessed. During that conflict, the significance of the sniper was brought to bear as ambush tactics, assassinations, and support fire became increasingly important. This would carry over into the following conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The U.S. military has had many outstanding sharpshooters throughout its’ history. Among the list is Chief Petty Officer Chris Kyle. During his tour in Ramadi, Iraq, in 2006, he recorded nearly 100 kills, earning him the name of “The Devil of Ramadi.” Kyle was also credited with hitting an insurgent over 1.2 miles away, a feat of incredible skill aided by modern sniper technology. (Find out more about modern snipers here, every sniper rifle currently used by the U.S. military.)
To determine the deadliest American snipers of all-time, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed information from Sniper Central, an online database of snipers ranging back to World War I. Snipers were ranked from U.S. service branches by their number of confirmed kills, listing the top 25 with 40 confirmed kills or more. Unfortunately, precise figures were not available for one sniper in World War I. Supplemental information about unconfirmed kills, conflict served, and military branches also came from Sniper Central.
Scroll below to see America’s most lethal sniper, ever: the top 25 ranked
Ronald D. Bundy was a sniper in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War.
James Gularte served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War.
Tom, better known as “Moose,” Ferran served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War.
Joe York served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War.
Daniel L. Greene was a sniper in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War.
Lynn Bushnell served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War.
T.R. Graves was a sniper in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War.
James C. Peters served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.
Terry Mathis was a sniper in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.
Raymond W. Westphal was a sniper in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War.
Philip G. Moran served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.
George Filyaw served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War.
Herman Davis served in the U.S. Army during World War I.
Jack Coughlin was a sniper in the U.S. Marine Corps during Operation Iraqi Freedom as well as Operation Enduring Freedom.
Joseph T. Ward served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War.
Steve Suttles served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War.
Thomas R. Leonard served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War.
Ronnie Shinya Marshall was a sniper in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.
Carlos Hathcock served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War.
Eric R. England was a sniper in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War.
Herbert W. McBride served in the U.S. Army during World War I.
Charles B. Mawhinney served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War.
Adelbert Waldron III served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.
Timothy L. Kellner served as a sniper in the U.S. Army during the Operation Iraqi Freedom as well as the conflict in Haiti.
Chris Kyle was a sniper in the U.S. SEALs during Operation Iraqi Freedom as well as Operation Enduring Freedom.
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