The service record of Chris Kyle, the most celebrated sniper in American history, has been obtained and shows the awards he received don't match up to his claims in American Sniper.
In the bestselling autobiography, which was adapted into a huge blockbuster movie starring Bradley Cooper, the heroic Navy SEAL sniper claimed to have been awarded two Silver Stars and five Bronze Stars during his 10 years of military service.
The Silver Star is an extremely prestigious award that's given for battlefield conduct.
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"All told," Kyle wrote in the book, "I would end my career as a SEAL with two Silver Stars and five Bronze [Stars], all for valor."
However, the internal Navy documents that were obtained by The Intercept tell a different story.
Officials confirmed that Kyle actually earned one Silver Star and three Bronze Stars with Valor.
It is also alleged that Kyle was warned by the government about the incorrect medal count before the publishing of American Sniper, but the book was released anyway.
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"The SEAL leadership was aware of the embellishment, but didn't want to correct the record because Kyle's celebrity status reflected well on the command," an ex-SEAL allegedly told The Intercept.
"Everybody went on a pilgrimage to his funeral at Cowboys Stadium knowing full well his claims weren't true."
The sniper also previously lost a defamation case after claiming to have punched former Minnesota governor Jesse Ventura.
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Although Kyle didn't mention Ventura's name in the book, he did so in interviews afterwards and his widow, Tara, was ordered to pay $1.8 million in damages.
Regardless of the fabrication, few will deny his status as a true American hero.
Words by Liam Bond
Featured Image Credit:Topics: US News