Americans Pause to Honor "American Sniper" Chris Kyle on What Would Have Been His 46th Birthday

By Becca Lower | 6:00 PM on April 08, 2020

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Americans are taking a moment to pause and honor former Navy SEAL Chris Kyle today, on what would have been his 46th birthday.

REMEMBERING A HERO: “American Sniper” Chris Kyle would have celebrated his 46th birthday today. The Navy SEAL was born on this day in 1974. 🇺🇸🙏 pic.twitter.com/jJHxfuIJeU

— FOX 10 Phoenix (@FOX10Phoenix) April 8, 2020

As ABC News reported:

Kyle, 38, served four tours in Iraq and was awarded two Silver Stars, five Bronze Stars with Valor, two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, and one Navy and Marine Corps Commendation.

From 1999 to 2009, Kyle recorded more than 150 sniper kills, the most in U.S. military history.

After leaving combat duty, Kyle became chief instructor training Naval Special Warfare Sniper and Counter-Sniper teams, and he authored the Naval Special Warfare Sniper Doctrine, the first Navy SEAL sniper manual. He left the Navy in 2009.

“American Sniper,” which was published last year by William Morrow, became a New York Times best seller.

Tragically, Kyle, along with his friend, Chad Littlefield, was shot and killed by a fellow veteran on February 2, 2013. But, American patriots don’t forget their heroes.

Fans of the “American Sniper” continue to remember him on the anniversary of his death:

Chris Kyle Day 🇺🇸#ChrisKyle #ChrisKyleDay #AmericanSniper #SEALTeam pic.twitter.com/zZLpQNSw5Z

— Fans Of SEAL Team on CBS 💟 (@SEALTeamBrigade) February 2, 2020

Then, in 2014 came “American Sniper,” the Oscar-nominated film starring Bradley Cooper and based on the eponymous book:

#AmericanSniper I Primi 10 Minuti e 10 Curiosità sul film https://t.co/IccIw0qZ0V pic.twitter.com/MPDm2rxfpd

— Screenweek (@Screenweek) April 8, 2020

Through Clint Eastwood’s moving film, Kyle’s story won over fans from some unlikely quarters:

I finally saw #AmericanSniper this weekend. It was amazing. Bradley Cooper's performance was so powerful. Everyone left the theater silent.

— Wolf Blitzer (@wolfblitzer) February 2, 2015

Today is another day that Americans are choosing to commemorate:

Happy Birthday Chris Kyle. Never Quit, Never Forget. pic.twitter.com/LAoLeptML4

— Lone Survivor Foundation (@LS_Foundation) April 8, 2020

Honoring his life…

Happy Birthday Chris Kyle! #gruntstyle #thiswelldefend #prideinself #prideinmilitary #prideincountry https://t.co/aERpFrmcP7 pic.twitter.com/Fgc0Ygsrsq

— Grunt Style (@Gruntstyle) April 8, 2020

Mourning with those who knew and loved him…

Miss ya, my friend. Happy birthday – #chriskyle #chriskyleday pic.twitter.com/IoUpJwQ8wC

— Scooter Brown Band (@ScooterBrownBND) April 8, 2020

Happy birthday to the #Legend himself. A real-life American Hero. So honored to call you a friend.
RIP #ChrisKyle pic.twitter.com/0Qx6LhKzB3

— Dean Cain (@RealDeanCain) April 8, 2020

Remembering how he fulfilled his duty…