New Honors to be Awarded

at

National Rifle Championship 2003         

  Picked as one of the top 50 greatest shooters of the 20^th Century, Carlos N. Hathcock II was a highly decorated war hero, scout, sniper and distinguished marksman who is being honored by the marksmanship shooting world at Camp Perry, Ohio during the National Rifle Trophy Championship in August 2003.

 Many awards have been given in his name, including the Marine Corps Library in Washington, D.C., the Virginia Civil Air Patrol Unit, a public service award by the City of Virginia Beach for training police sharpshooters, a Marine scout/sniper school and more.

 Now, a new national trophy match event is under consideration for competitors called “The Hathcock Trophy”.

  Born into a poor broken home in Arkansas, Carlos joined the Marine Corps at the age of 17. He quickly realized he had found his place in the world.

 While in boot camp, Carlos qualified as an expert rifleman, a feat most recruits rarely attain.

 At the beginning of his competitive shooting in 1965, Hathcock won the premier championship – The prestigious Wimbledon Cup 1000 yard Match at Camp Perry.

 In Vietnam, former commander 1^st Lt. Jim Land built a new unit around Hathcock’s rifle shooting abilities and he became known as the famous Marine scout/sniper with 93 confirmed kills. However, it was said that Hathcock wanted to be known and remembered for his skills as a scout/sniper “Who saved the lives of fellow                                                       Marines in the Vietnam War”. Hathcock is credited with saving seven of his fellow Marines who were riding on an armored vehicle when it hit a 500 lb. box mine. Hathcock received numerous injuries including burns over 40 percent of his body. After 13 skin grafts, Hathcock eventually left his beloved Corps as he neared 20 years of service and dedication.

 Although he was awarded the Purple Heart Medal for being wounded, Hathcock declined the awarding of a medal for valor, but 30 years later he received the Silver Star Medal, the nations third highest military honor. Sadly, efforts to award him the Medal of Honor failed.

 On Feb.26, 1999, Hathcock, 56, died from multiple sclerosis and was laid to rest in Woodlawn Memorial Cemetery at Virginia Beach, Va. His accomplishments are revered in the world of target shooting, hunting, law enforce- ment, military, and civilian shooters and he remains a symbol of perservance, bravery and true American Patriotism./

 To this day the name “Hathcock” evokes emotion from all who served with him and knew him in the competitive shooting world. His accomplishments have been the subject of two books;”Marine Sniper” by Charles Henderson and “White Feather” by Lt. Col. Norm Chandler(USMC) and his brother M/Sgt Roy Chandler(USA)

 This trophy will be a wonderful tribute to the memory of Carlos N. Hathcock II.

 For the last 20 years, his legacy can be seen in his son, Gy/Sgt Carlos N. Hathcock III, USMC. He also became a member of the Marine Corps Rifle Team and later its coach and is an accomplished shooter in his own right.

 The Springfield Armory USA recently announced, they will donate a”Gy/Sgt Carlos Hathcock II commerative Springfield M 25 Cal. 308 “White Feather” tactical rifle to help support the drive to raise funds to defray the cost of a bronze statue trophy. A raffle will be held to determine the winner of the rifle.

•  Raffle tickets will be mailed to all donors on the following schedule: For each $10 donated 1 ticket, 6 for $50 and 12 for $100 etc.

•  The retail value of the rifle is $4791.00.

•   Early donations or raffle ticket purchases will be paramount so that the sculptor can begin the 54 inch bronze statue trophy, ASAP.

 Make all donation checks to:

Hathcock Trophy Fund,C/O Jim Vose, 60 Main St., Lincoln, Me 04457. Funds to be deposited in Lincoln Maine Federal Credit Union, Lincoln, ME.

 Committee Members:

Chairman- Cpl Jim Vose, Cpl Ken Odom, Sgt. Dennis Anderson, Lt. Col Norm Chandler, (retd) M/Gy/Sgt Richard Carroll (retd) all former Marines.

 For more information e-mail Jim Vose, jkvose@telplus.net  or
Ken Odom-kwo@gibsoncounty.net .