JimLindsay’sTheSniperreveals,forthefirsttimeever,thefullstoryofthedeadliestsniperinMarineCorpshistory,ChuckMawhinney,whoservedintheVietnamwaratage18--writtenwithhisfullcooperationandparticipation.Charles“Chuck“MawhinneyisaUnitedStatesMarinewhoholdstheCorps’recordforthemostconfirmedsniperkills(andthesecondmostofanyUSservicememberinhistory),havingrecorded103confirmedkillsin16monthsduringtheVietnamWar.Hewasalsotheyoungest--killingtheenemyasateenager.In1967,attheageof18,MawhinneyjoinedtheMarinesandbeganhisassentfromrecruittotheMarineCorps’deadliestsniper.Duringhistours--inoneofthemostdangerouswarzonesofVietnam--hischaracterandcharismahelpedhimdealwithlifeanddeathinahellholewithotheryoungmenalongwayfromhome.AfterVietnam,Mawhinneymarriedandsettledintohispost-warlife,raisedafamily,andwascontentthatnooneknewofhisaccomplishmentsinwar.Thenin1991hewasstartledanddismayedwhenoutedbyafellowMarinesniper,JosephWard,whospokeofMawhinney’snumberofkillsinhisbook,DearMom.NewspaperspickedupthestoryandMawhinney’slifechangedforever.Thenotorietytroubledhimatfirst,butthenheacceptedthefameandusedtheopportunitytotrainservicemenandlawmenintheartoflong-distanceshooting.Atlast,Chuck’sfullstoryistold,includinghisheroicexploitsinbattleandtheterribletollthattakingalifeexertsonahumanbeing.
