Miramar to dedicate range to famous sniper

Miramar to dedicate range to famous sniper

Staff report
Posted : Tuesday Mar 27, 2007 16:37:25 EDT

OCEANSIDE, Calif. — The late Gunnery Sgt. Carlos N. Hathcock II is getting a new honor: His name will grace the newest range at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif.

On Thursday, officials will dedicate the Carlos Hathcock Range Complex, including the air station’s newest pistol range — Range 101 — during a 2 p.m. ceremony.

Hathcock, a legendary Marine sniper, amassed 93 confirmed kills of North Vietnamese and Viet Cong fighters during the Vietnam War. In 1969, when an anti-tank mine exploded beneath his amphibious tractor, he pulled seven Marines from the burning vehicle, suffering serious burns in the process. He received the Silver Star for his actions.

He helped establish the Corps’ Scout Sniper School in Quantico, Va., and battled multiple sclerosis until his death in 1999 at age 56.

The new pistol range, which opened in January, was built next to the station’s existing rifle range on the East Miramar property east of Interstate 15. Marines had used a pistol range shared with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department on land just east of I-15.

Ellie