Rising to the ranks of history’s greatest snipers is an incredible feat, but these four marksmen have earned this title through exceptional military achievements. With unmatched precision and unique abilities, each carries an extraordinary story and an incredible kill count, securing their status as some of the most legendary snipers of all time.
Chris Kyle – Most lethal sniper in US military history
Self-proclaimed as the “most lethal sniper in US military history,” Chris Kyle achieved 160 confirmed kills (nearly double that by some accounts) during his four tours in Iraq. As a US Navy SEAL, he earned the nickname “The Legend” among US Marines, while his enemies dubbed him “The Devil of Ramadi.” His skills with a rifle were such that multiple bounties were put on his head, in an attempt to bring his killing of insurgents to an end.
Kyle was initially interested in joining the US Marine Corps special operations, but opted to enlist with the Navy instead, after a recruiter spoke to him about becoming a SEAL. After undergoing extensive training, he was assigned to SEAL Team Three.
Kyle scored his first long-range kill when he was ordered to shoot a woman approaching a group of Marines while holding a hand grenade. During his four tours, he was shot and found himself caught up in six separate Improvised Explosive Device (IED) explosions. This didn’t stop him from continuing as a sniper, however, and he went on to receive one Silver Star and three Bronze Stars with Valor, among other decorations.
Kyle was honorably discharged in 2009, and was unfortunately killed by a fellow veteran struggling with mental health issues in February 2013. The film, American Sniper, was released the following year and is loosely based on the memoir he wrote prior to his death, American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History. While many have accused Kyle of embellishing his accomplishments in the book, there’s no doubt he led an impressive naval career.
Vasily Zaytsev – Hero of the Soviet Union
Vasily Zaytsev was credited with eliminating 225 German soldiers during the Battle of Stalingrad in World War II. Growing up in the Russian wilderness, Zaytsev learned to handle a rifle early on, as hunting was essential for providing food for his family. Little did he know that these skills would later make him one of the Soviet Union’s most formidable snipers.
Zaytsev volunteered for the Red Army after serving as head of the finance department for the Soviet Pacific Fleet. He began as an ordinary soldier, but quickly showcased his exceptional marksmanship, leading to his assignment with the 1047th Rifle Regiment, 284th “Tomsk” Rifle Division, 62nd Army.
One of Zaytsev’s most famous acts was the supposed killing of top German sniper Erwin König. While he claimed the event did occur, some historians doubt the story, as no official records of a sniper by that name exist. However, it’s worth noting that the German military wasn’t known for flawless record-keeping.
In January 1943, Zaytsev was injured by a mortar blast. A month later, he was awarded the title of “Hero of the Soviet Union” and eventually returned to the front, seeing action until the end of the war at the Battle of Seelow Heights.
Carlos Hathcock – Deadliest American sniper of the Vietnam War
Carlos Hathcock became famous as one of the Vietnam War‘s most lethal snipers, driven by a fierce dedication to safeguarding his fellow Marines. In 1965, he won the Wimbledon Cup Shooting Championship, a testament to his remarkable sharpshooting abilities, which he would put to the ultimate test during his deployment the following year.
Hathcock once said, “If I didn’t get the enemy, they were going to kill the kids over there,” a perspective that profoundly influenced his actions in Vietnam and highlighted his unwavering determination. Serving with the 1st Marine Division’s sniper platoon, he famously crawled over 1,500 yards for three days without food or water to reach and eliminate a People’s Army of Vietnam (PAVN) general. From a distance of 700 yards, he achieved the confirmed kill and then disappeared back into the wilderness.
He also eliminated an enemy sniper known as “Cobra,” responsible for the deaths of several Marines, and a female Viet Cong platoon leader called “the Apache woman,” although her actual existence remains debated among historians. Hathcock logged 93 confirmed kills but estimated his true count was closer to 300 to 400.
Simo Häyhä – Deadliest sniper in history
Nicknamed the “White Death,” Simo Häyhä was a farmer turned lethal sniper during the Soviet invasion of Finland in 1939. With over 500 confirmed kills and the unconfirmed amount totalling over 700, Häyhä was a force to be reckoned with. He’s considered one of history’s most effective snipers, and was so good that the Red Army desperately wanted him killed, but the snipers sent to counter him never returned.
Using his antique Russian-made rifle with an iron sight, Häyhä managed to hide in plain sight and take out any enemy soldier that came across his path. Familiar with the terrain, he would build up snow banks on either side of him to hide the cloud that appeared after every shot he took, so as not to give away his location. Additionally, he’d put snow in his mouth to prevent his breath from giving him away.
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Just 11 days before the Winter War ended, Häyhä was hit in the jaw by an explosive bullet, severely wounding his face. Despite his injuries, the sniper stood up and killed his assassin. He ended up surviving the incident and was gifted a brand new, custom-built rifle, which he later donated to the Karelia Jaeger Battalion’s Heritage Room.