Eric England (sniper)
Encyclopedia
Eric England was a sniper
for the United States Marine Corps
3rd Marine Division during the Vietnam War
. Joining the US Marine Corps in 1950, England was a Nationals rifle shooting champion by age 19 in 1952, and the all-time long-range champion by 1968. He received his first competitive training in USMC bootcamp from his cousin, Dr. James Harry Turner, at that time a Marine weapons instructor. This led to a 24 year career on the USMC rifle team, winning national and international competitions as participant and coach.
He currently holds a record as one of the five American service members with the highest number of confirmed kills. He is listed as having had 98 confirmed kills, with dozens more listed as "probables". While Marine Corps sniper legend Carlos Hathcock
is generally given credit for being the top ranking US Marine Corps sniper, he actually had 93 confirmed kills, behind Chuck Mawhinney
who had 103 confirmed kills, and England who had 98. When the US Army
snipers are included, England shows to be ranked at third overall, with US Army sniper Adelbert Waldron
moving to first with 109 confirmed kills. However, Eric England had 98 confirmed within only seven months' time, before being medically evacuated. (England had many solo sniping missions, and witnesses were not always available to confirm his kills which may have been 200 or 300. England has never mentioned his number of kills; this estimate had to be obtained from former USMC officers who knew him. The same situation was true for Carlos Hathcock and other scout-snipers.)
Although little known outside of sniper circles, England is highly respected, and was the subject of the book Phantom of Phu Bai, written by Dr. J. B. Turner. Carlos Hathcock was once quoted as saying, "Eric is a great man, a great shooter, and a great Marine." A sculpture
in England's honor was erected at the county courthouse
in Union County, Georgia, in 2006. Guest speakers included former Governor of Georgia and US Senator
Zell Miller
, also a former Marine, and a friend of England; and Maj. Jim Land, USMC, Ret., Carlos Hathcock's commanding officer and occasional fellow sniper in Vietnam. Senator Zell Miller, author, news commentator, ex-Marine and former governor of Georgia, stated, "Eric England was my career inspiration. By modeling after him, I achieved every success I have had in life."
Sniper
A sniper is a marksman who shoots targets from concealed positions or distances exceeding the capabilities of regular personnel. Snipers typically have specialized training and distinct high-precision rifles....
for the United States Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
3rd Marine Division during the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
. Joining the US Marine Corps in 1950, England was a Nationals rifle shooting champion by age 19 in 1952, and the all-time long-range champion by 1968. He received his first competitive training in USMC bootcamp from his cousin, Dr. James Harry Turner, at that time a Marine weapons instructor. This led to a 24 year career on the USMC rifle team, winning national and international competitions as participant and coach.
He currently holds a record as one of the five American service members with the highest number of confirmed kills. He is listed as having had 98 confirmed kills, with dozens more listed as "probables". While Marine Corps sniper legend Carlos Hathcock
Carlos Hathcock
Carlos Hathcock was a United States Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant sniper with a service record of 93 confirmed kills. Hathcock's record and the extraordinary details of the missions he undertook made him a legend in the Marine Corps...
is generally given credit for being the top ranking US Marine Corps sniper, he actually had 93 confirmed kills, behind Chuck Mawhinney
Chuck Mawhinney
Charles Benjamin "Chuck" Mawhinney is an Oregon-born American who served in the United States Marine Corps as a sniper during the Vietnam War...
who had 103 confirmed kills, and England who had 98. When the US Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
snipers are included, England shows to be ranked at third overall, with US Army sniper Adelbert Waldron
Adelbert Waldron
Staff Sergeant Adelbert F. Waldron, or Adelbert F. Waldron III, was a United States Army sniper serving during the Vietnam War . Although little known, Waldron holds the record for confirmed kills by any American sniper in history at 109. Carlos Hathcock had 93 confirmed kills, Eric R...
moving to first with 109 confirmed kills. However, Eric England had 98 confirmed within only seven months' time, before being medically evacuated. (England had many solo sniping missions, and witnesses were not always available to confirm his kills which may have been 200 or 300. England has never mentioned his number of kills; this estimate had to be obtained from former USMC officers who knew him. The same situation was true for Carlos Hathcock and other scout-snipers.)
Although little known outside of sniper circles, England is highly respected, and was the subject of the book Phantom of Phu Bai, written by Dr. J. B. Turner. Carlos Hathcock was once quoted as saying, "Eric is a great man, a great shooter, and a great Marine." A sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture is three-dimensional artwork created by shaping or combining hard materials—typically stone such as marble—or metal, glass, or wood. Softer materials can also be used, such as clay, textiles, plastics, polymers and softer metals...
in England's honor was erected at the county courthouse
Courthouse
A courthouse is a building that is home to a local court of law and often the regional county government as well, although this is not the case in some larger cities. The term is common in North America. In most other English speaking countries, buildings which house courts of law are simply...
in Union County, Georgia, in 2006. Guest speakers included former Governor of Georgia and US Senator
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
Zell Miller
Zell Miller
Zell Bryan Miller is an American politician from the US state of Georgia. A Democrat, Miller served as Lieutenant Governor from 1975 to 1991, 79th Governor of Georgia from 1991 to 1999, and as United States Senator from 2000 to 2005....
, also a former Marine, and a friend of England; and Maj. Jim Land, USMC, Ret., Carlos Hathcock's commanding officer and occasional fellow sniper in Vietnam. Senator Zell Miller, author, news commentator, ex-Marine and former governor of Georgia, stated, "Eric England was my career inspiration. By modeling after him, I achieved every success I have had in life."