Who Is Carlos Hathcock? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Carlos Hathcock was born on May 20, 1942, and passed away on February 23, 1999. As of 2025, he would have been 83 years old. A highly skilled sniper with the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War, Hathcock became a legendary figure for his exceptional marksmanship and stealth. With a recorded 93 confirmed kills, he earned the nickname "White Feather" due to the white feather he wore in his bush hat, a symbol of his prowess. His life and achievements have been celebrated in military history as a testament to skill, bravery, and dedication.
| Occupation | Other |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | May 20, 1942 |
| Age | 56 Years |
| Birth Place | Little Rock, Arkansas, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Taurus |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 22 February, 1999 |
| Died Place | Virginia Beach, Virginia, U.S. |
Popularity
Carlos Hathcock's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While specific details regarding Hathcock's height and weight are less documented, he was known to be of average build typical of active duty Marines during his service. Reports suggest he may have been around 6 feet tall, a common height among sharpshooters of his era. Detailed measurements are not readily available, as such specifics were less emphasized in the context of his military service.
Hathcock only once removed the white feather from his bush hat while deployed in Vietnam. During a volunteer mission days before the end of his first deployment, he crawled over 1,500 yards of field to shoot an enemy soldier who was alleged to have been a general.
This effort took four days and three nights without sleep and with constant inch-by-inch crawling. Hathcock said he was almost stepped on as he lay camouflaged with grass and vegetation in a meadow shortly after sunset. At one point he was nearly bitten by a bamboo viper, but had the presence of mind to avoid moving and giving up his position.
As the enemy exited his encampment, Hathcock fired a single shot that struck the target in the chest, killing him.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Carlos Hathcock was married to his wife, Joan, whom he met shortly before his deployment to Vietnam. The couple faced many challenges during his military career, including the dangers associated with Hathcock's service. They had a close-knit family, with Hathcock being a dedicated husband and father. As he is no longer alive, the discussion surrounding his relationship status today is historical in nature.
He grew up in Wynne, Arkansas, living with his grandmother Myrtle (1900–2000) for the first 12 years of his life after his parents separated. While visiting relatives in Mississippi, he took to shooting and hunting at an early age, partly out of necessity to help feed his poor family.
He would go into the woods with his dog and pretend to be a soldier and hunt imaginary Japanese soldiers with the German Mauser which his father, a veteran of two wars, brought back from World War II. He hunted at that early age with a .22-caliber Stevens Model 15A single-shot rifle.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his passing in 1999, estimates of Carlos Hathcock's net worth were relatively modest, primarily comprising military pension and benefits. His legacy, however, continues to enrich the fields of military strategy, marksmanship, and public speaking engagements that honor his contributions. Today, it's difficult to assign a specific net worth to Hathcock considering the time elapsed since his passing, but his impact on military training and sniper tactics remains invaluable.
Career, Business, and Investments
Carlos Hathcock's military career was marked by remarkable achievements. After enlisting in the Marine Corps, he specialized as a sniper, becoming one of the most elite marksmen during the Vietnam War. Following his service, Hathcock continued to contribute to military training as an instructor and played a pivotal role in developing sniper protocols that are still in use today. Though primarily focused on his career in the military, Hathcock also engaged in speaking events and authored works that highlighted sniper tactics and experiences.
On September 16, 1969, Hathcock's career as a sniper came to a sudden end along Highway 1, north of Landing Zone Baldy, when the LVTP-5 he was riding on struck an anti-tank mine.
Hathcock pulled seven Marines from the flame-engulfed vehicle, suffering severe burns (some third-degree) to his face, arms, and legs, before someone pulled him away and placed him in water because he was unaware of how badly he had been burnt. While recovering, Hathcock received the Purple Heart.
Nearly 30 years later, he received a Silver Star for this action. Hathcock and the seven Marines he pulled from the vehicle were evacuated by helicopter to hospital ship USS Repose (AH-16), then to a naval hospital in Tokyo, and ultimately to the burn center at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas.
Social Network
Although Carlos Hathcock did not utilize social media in his lifetime, his legacy is celebrated on various platforms today. Military enthusiasts, historians, and fans of sniping history often share his story on social networks like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. These platforms are used by organizations and individuals alike to honor his memory and educate others about his incredible marksmanship and impact on military history.
Hathcock once said that he survived in his work because of an ability to "get in the bubble", to put himself into a state of "utter, complete, absolute concentration", first with his equipment, then his environment, in which every breeze and every leaf meant something, and finally on his quarry.
After the war, a friend showed Hathcock a passage written by Ernest Hemingway: "Certainly there is no hunting like the hunting of man, and those who have hunted armed men long enough and like it, never really care for anything else thereafter." He copied Hemingway's words on a piece of paper. "He got that right," Hathcock said.
"It was the hunt, not the killing." Hathcock said in a book written about his career as a sniper: "I like shooting, and I love hunting. But I never did enjoy killing anybody. It's my job. If I don't get those bastards, then they're gonna kill a lot of these kids dressed up like Marines. That's the way I look at it."
Education
Carlos Hathcock's formal education was limited, focusing predominantly on military training and practical skill development as a Marine. His reputation as a sniper was built through rigorous practice, keen instinct, and tactical knowledge that transcended conventional classroom education. Hathcock's lifelong journey of learning in combat scenarios solidified his status as a legendary figure in U.S. military history.
In conclusion, Carlos Hathcock's legacy is immortalized through his achievements, his family's strong support, and the profound respect he garnered within military circles. His life continues to inspire those who serve and honor their commitment to duty.
* Richard O. Culver Jr. — worked with Land in establishing the first Marine Corps Scout Sniper School; Hathcock was Culver's Senior NCO at the school.
