Navy officials are investigating why American Sniper author Chris Kyle was allegedly issued separation documents listing more military medals than he was apparently awarded.
“We recognize that there is a discrepancy and we are looking into it right now,” said a Navy official, who was interviewed by Military.com anonymously on Wednesday.
Kyle’s 2009 discharge document, known as a DD-214, said he earned two Silver Stars and six Bronze Stars with valor. An investigative report published May 25 by the Intercept claims other Navy records show Kyle earned one Silver Star and three Bronze Stars.
He claimed he was awarded two Silver Stars and five Bronze Stars in his autobiography American Sniper, which was later adapted into a successful film. The Navy SEAL, known as the deadliest sniper in U.S. history, was murdered by a fellow veteran in 2013.
Responding to questions about these multiple apparent discrepancies, Navy Personnel Command spokesman Cullen James told Military.com that people should consider “individual service member’s official military personnel file and our central official awards records to be the authoritative sources for verifying entitlement to decorations and awards.”
Cullen said form DD-214 is “generated locally at the command where the service member is separated,” and though it “should match official records,” errors may occur. Another Navy official told Military.com that the separation process had changed since 2009 and is much more centralized. The official said no DD-215 form, which would be issued if it was determined the earlier document was incorrect, has been issued for Kyle.
“As we figure out which route we’re going or does a correction need to be made, we’ll make that information public,” the official said.
