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It wasn’t until 1991 that the world learned of Marine Corps veteran Charles Benjamin “Chuck” Mawhinney’s 103 confirmed kills during his time deployed to Vietnam in the late 1960s. That count made him not only the deadliest sniper of the Vietnam War, but also the deadliest sniper ever to serve in the Marine Corps. But Mawhinney never mentioned his exploits or record to friends or family; it only came out because a fellow sniper wrote a book giving him the title.
Like so many such claims do, Mahwinney’s purported record caused a bit of an uproar in the Vietnam veteran and sniper communities. But it turned out that not only was the book accurate, it might have underreported his accomplishments. It was an even more incredible feat, given his young life and that he almost never joined the Marine Corps in the first place.
It wasn’t until March 2023 that the legendary veteran told his full life story, and not a moment too soon. Mawhinney died on Feb. 12, 2024, at his home in Baker City, Oregon. He was 75 years old.
Read Next: A New Book Details the Life of the Deadliest Sniper in Marine Corps History
Born in 1949, Mawhinney grew up as what some might call a troubled youth in Lakeview, Oregon. His teen years were filled with cars, motorcycles, shooting guns and chasing ladies. A skilled shot with a rifle from a young age, he also enjoyed picking off rabbits and deer from…
