On Wednesday, May 27th, the news site The Intercept-known for publishing classified U.S. government documents obtained by Edward Snowden-published an article stating that famed Iraq War sniper Chris Kyle lied about his war record.
The report claims to be based on internal U.S. Navy documents The Intercept obtained, and says Kyle exaggerated the number of medals he received from the military for his service. According to The Intercept, Kyle received one Silver Star and three Bronze Stars, not two Silver Stars and five Bronze Stars as his book ‘American Sniper’ claimed.
A controversial figure in the U.S, many still consider him a hero despite allegations of racism and now apparent embellishments of his military record. In the Middle East, he is similarly regarded with controversy. In Arabic language media too, the Clint Eastwood film ‘American Sniper’ starring Bradley Cooper and based on his book of the same name has been criticized as misrepresenting the events surrounding the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. To the insurgents he fought in Iraq, he was known as the “Devil of Ramadi.”
Kyle was killed by a troubled fellow soldier he was trying to help in 2013 on a hunting trip. The perpetrator was later sentenced to life in prison.
