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Unveiled Honors Marine Corps Scout/Sniper Carlos Hathcock Whether you are a serious competition shooter or someone who enjoys shooting as a relaxing hobby, it would be difficult to believe you have not encountered the name Carlos Hathcock in articles or books that discuss great riflemen in American history. Gunnery Sergeant Hathcock's exploits in the Viet Nam War have been told and retold until they have taken on legendary proportions not unlike the legends of other noted marksmen like Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone. Hathcock was a very successful sniper in the Viet Nam war, with kill totals to prove it. However, one thing that everyone who was lucky enough to know Carlos Hathcock will tell you, the man was humble. He simply wanted to be known as a Marine and instructor of Marine scout/snipers. He believed that by passing on his knowledge of the dangerous job of the scout/sniper that he could save the lives of many of his students as well as the lives of other Marines. His convictions are similar to those portrayed by Gary Cooper when he played Alvin York, in the classic movie Sergeant York. York and Hathcock knew their rifle skills could save many more lives than they took. For Jim Vose of Maine and Ken Odom of Indiana, two former Marines, the idea of creating a trophy to honor Carlos Hathcock and all that he stood for seemed like an idea that was long overdue. Since Hathcock's death in 1999 from multiple sclerosis, debate concerning a fitting tribute for this humble, heroic veteran abounded. Friends and Marines who served with him, as well as many grateful citizens, believed something should be done. Yet, it was Vose and Odom, who had never met Hathcock personally, who set the ball rolling to establish a trophy to honor the legendary Marine. Few people realize that Hathcock's exploits as a sniper did not just happen on the battlefield. In the 1965 National Matches, a young Corporal Hathcock won the prestigious Wimbledon Cup with a score of 100-17V. Indeed, Hathcock's skill as a scout/sniper has as a foundation in his successes as a competitive marksman. This made it especially appropriate that this commemoration of the life and shooting skills of this American hero should be associated with competitive marksmanship. Vose and Odom envisioned a new Trophy to be awarded during the National Trophy Rifle Matches that would become a permanent part of the National Trophy collection housed in CMP headquarters at Camp Perry. Vose, a jeweler by trade, began researching sculptors all over the country and finally settled on one near his own home in Maine. Months and many donations from citizens and the shooting industry later, the Hathcock Trophy was finished and shipped to Camp Perry in time to be unveiled during the National Matches Centennial Celebration on August 9th. A significant part of the financial support for the creation of this trophy was provided by Springfield Armory, Inc. of Geneseo, Illinois. Springfield generously donated a special version of their M25 White Feather™ Tactical/Carlos Hathcock model M1A™ to be raffled for the benefit of the trophy. Both Jim Vose and Hathcock's son, Marine Gunnery Sergeant Carlos Hathcock III spoke prior to the unveiling. The trophy was then presented for the first time to Sgt Jerome Bostick, the Marine Corps competitor with the highest score in the aggregate of the President's 100, National Trophy Individual and National Trophy Team Matches. On-hand to assist in the trophy presentation were Col G. C. Bourgeois, Commander of the USMC Weapons Training Battalion at Quantico, Virginia and Ken Odom, one of the men who was instrumental in the creation of the trophy. The trophy is now on permanent display at CMP Headquarters where it occupies a special place of honor. The Carlos Hathcock Trophy will surely inspire many future Marine, military and civilian shooters to strive to achieve the level of excellence and commitment that Carlos Hathcock achieved in his careers as a Marine and competitive shooter. |
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