Christopher Scott Kyle (April 8, 1974 – February 2, 2013) was a United States Navy SEAL veteran and sniper. Kyle served four tours in the Iraq War and was awarded several commendations for acts of heroism and meritorious service in combat. He was awarded one Silver Star Medal, four Bronze Star Medals with "V" devices, a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and numerous other unit and personal awards.Kyle was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy in 2009 and published his bestselling autobiography, American Sniper, in 2012. An eponymous film adaptation of Kyle's book, directed by Clint Eastwood, was released three years later. In 2013, Kyle was murdered by Eddie Ray Routh at a shooting range near Chalk Mountain, Texas called Rough Creek Lodge. A former Marine with post traumatic stress disorder, Routh was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison without parole.