Chris Kyle earned a reputation as the deadliest sniper in United States history, but newly-released military documents contradict a claim he made in his best-selling book.
"All told," Kyle wrote in his 2009 autobiography American Sniper, "I would end my career as a SEAL with two Silver Stars and five Bronze (Stars), all for valor."
Based on Naval documents obtained in an investigation by The Intercept, Kyle appears to have exaggerated his record:
Kyle actually earned one Silver Star and three Bronze Stars with Valor, according to Navy records. The Navy has confirmed the report and is currently investigating, according to a spokeswoman.
The former SEAL, who was killed in 2013 at a Texas gun range by a disturbed, former Marine, has been accused of misrepresenting his record before. In American Sniper, Kyle claimed to have knocked out the ex-governor of Minnesota, Jesse Ventura, after a bar dispute turned physical. Ventura, a veteran himself, sued a year after Kyle's death and won $1.8 million in damages.
His widow, Taya Kyle, who a judge ordered to pay Ventura, is currently appealing that decision.