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It wasn’t till 1991 that the world discovered of Marine Corps veteran Charles Benjamin “Chuck” Mawhinney’s 103 confirmed kills throughout his time deployed to Vietnam within the late Nineteen Sixties. That rely made him not solely the deadliest sniper of the Vietnam Warfare, but additionally the deadliest sniper ever to serve within the Marine Corps. However Mawhinney by no means talked about his exploits or report to pals or household; it solely got here out as a result of a fellow sniper wrote a e book giving him the title.
Like so many such claims do, Mahwinney’s purported report precipitated a little bit of an uproar within the Vietnam veteran and sniper communities. But it surely turned out that not solely was the e book correct, it may need underreported his accomplishments. It was an much more unbelievable feat, given his younger life and that he virtually by no means joined the Marine Corps within the first place.
It wasn’t till March 2023 that the legendary veteran informed his full life story, and never a second too quickly. Mawhinney died on Feb. 12, 2024, at his dwelling in Baker Metropolis, Oregon. He was 75 years previous.
Learn Subsequent: A New E book Particulars the Lifetime of the Deadliest Sniper in Marine Corps Historical past
Born in 1949, Mawhinney grew up as what some would possibly name a troubled youth in Lakeview, Oregon. His teen years have been stuffed with vehicles, bikes, capturing weapons and chasing women. A talented shot with a rifle from a younger age, he additionally loved selecting off rabbits and deer from behind the stick of small plane. When his conduct received him into scorching water at dwelling, the Marines provided him a approach out. He joined the Corps and was despatched to Vietnam whereas nonetheless a young person, on a 16-month tour that spanned from 1967 to 1969.
Joseph T. Ward served in Vietnam as a spotter alongside Mawhinney on the tail finish of the latter’s tour. It was his 1991 e book, “Expensive Mother: A Sniper’s Vietnam” that listed Mawhinney’s sniper report. Mawhinney did not even know his previous spotter had written a e book. Writer Peter Senich learn Ward’s e book, after which went again into the Marine Corps archives to test on the declare. Certain sufficient, Ward was proper.
For the longest time, the world believed the report belonged to a different Marine Corps legend, Carlos Hathcock, and his 93 kills. Throughout Chuck Mawhinney’s tour in Vietnam, he racked up a confirmed kill rely of 103, with 216 extra probables. Senich wrote an article about Mawhinney’s tour and his kill report for the December 1996 subject of Precision Capturing Journal, an interview that modified Mawhinney’s life.
Mawhinney had left the Marine Corps in 1970; by the point the interview got here out he’d retired from the U.S. Forest Service after 27 years and was dwelling in his hometown of Lakeview. Family and friends have been conscious that he’d fought in Vietnam, however nobody in his life knew he was a dwelling legend with a Bronze Star Medal with Fight Valor, Navy Achievement Medal, Navy Commendation Medal with Fight Valor and two Purple Coronary hearts.
The Precision Capturing interview, he informed native newspaper the Bay Metropolis Herald, was the rationale he lastly opened up extra about his service.
“It is a possibility for me to get some recognition for lots of the Vietnam vets that did not obtain any recognition,” he stated. “We have been all there collectively. If I’ve to take recognition for it, that is OK, as a result of each time I discuss to somebody, I can discuss in regards to the vets. It provides me a possibility to speak about what an important job they did.”
Senich was going to jot down a e book about Mawhinney’s life, however the creator died in 2004 with out ending a manuscript. Mawhinney’s previous good friend, Jim Lindsay, finally did it himself. Lindsay met Mawhinney in 1980 and, regardless of many hours spent collectively, solely found his good good friend’s report whereas watching a documentary about snipers. Lindsay’s e book, “The Sniper: The Untold Story of the Marine Corps’ Best Marksman of All Time,” was revealed in March 2023 to Mawhinney’s nice satisfaction.
Other than a legacy of service to the US, the Marine Corps and the Forest Service, Chuck Mawhinney leaves behind a spouse and three kids.
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