Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
July 30, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
People File • Military

Chris Kyle

Chris Kyle was an American Navy SEAL sniper and author, best known for his autobiography *American Sniper* and for serving four deployments in Iraq.

Updated July 30, 20261 min readCited sources

Chris Kyle was an American Navy SEAL sniper and author, best known for his autobiography *American Sniper* and his four combat deployments in Iraq. He was killed in 2013 at a Texas shooting range.

Who was Chris Kyle?

Born in Odessa, Texas, on April 8, 1974, Chris Kyle grew up around ranch life and hunting. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1999 and went on to become a Navy SEAL sniper, serving four tours in Iraq.

Military career and record

Kyle completed four deployments to Iraq and is widely cited as having 160 confirmed kills, the most in U.S. military history. He received the Silver Star and Bronze Star Medals with valor devices. His memoir *American Sniper* was published in 2012 and became a bestseller.

Death and legacy

On February 2, 2013, Kyle and Chad Littlefield were shot and killed at a gun range in Texas. The incident drew major public attention. *American Sniper* was adapted into a 2014 film directed by Clint Eastwood, cementing Kyle's place in discussions of modern military snipers and veterans' issues.

In short

  • Navy SEAL sniper with four Iraq deployments
  • Author of bestselling memoir *American Sniper*
  • 160 confirmed kills — a U.S. military record
  • Killed in 2013 at a Texas shooting range

Quick questions

Who was Chris Kyle?
Chris Kyle was an American Navy SEAL sniper and author best known for *American Sniper* and his Iraq War service.
How many deployments did Chris Kyle serve in Iraq?
He served four deployments to Iraq.
How did Chris Kyle die?
He was shot and killed at a Texas shooting range on February 2, 2013.

Sources

  1. Biography.com — https://www.biography.com/military-figures/chris-kyle
    Supports: Birth details, Navy SEAL service, deployments, authorship, and death
  2. EBSCO — https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/biography/chris-kyle
    Supports: Biographical overview, birth date, upbringing, Navy enlistment, and Iraq service
  3. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs — https://www.va.gov/
    Supports: Background on Kyle’s military service, education, and death
  4. Texas State Historical Association — https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/kyle-christopher-scott
    Supports: Birth information and biographical context
  5. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4881574/bio/
    Supports: Birth and death details, marriage, and authorship/producer credits
  6. History — https://www.history.com/articles/the-real-life-story-behind-american-sniper
    Supports: Military reputation and the significance of *American Sniper*