Marine Corps Archives
Modern Marine Corps scout snipers are required to study their history, to learn from the outstanding snipers that came before them.
Among those who serve as examples are Charles Mawhinney, Eric England, and Carlos Hathcock, three of the deadliest Marine Corps snipers of the Vietnam War.
These three snipers had nearly 300 confirmed kills, but what makes them examples for Marines today is more than their skills in battle.
Marine Corps snipers struck fear in the hearts of their enemies in the jungles of Vietnam. The exploits of three sharpshooters, in particular, are legendary.
Charles Chuck Mawhinney, Eric England, and Carlos Hathcock had almost 300 confirmed kills combined and even more unconfirmed. They were masters of their craft, and their skills in battle, as well as their silent professionalism and humility, made these men examples for the Marine snipers that followed.