Summary- A few weeks after Land leaves Major Wight calls for Hathcock's assistance on completing a mission. He won't tell him what it is until he accepts it. Hathcock accepts to protect his fellow snipers from getting themselves killed in such a dangerous mission. The mission was practically a suicide mission. Hathcock was assigned to infiltrate the NVA headquarter and kill the leader. According to the recon, there is almost no cover for over 2,000 miles around the NVA base. He was to fly across the high Loas mountains towards the west to be deployed. He had 20 marines accompanying him, but by the time he got there, he was alone. It was a solo mission. More people meant more chance of the team getting caught. The Majors and Generals were all depending on Hathcock since he was the only person who could actually pull off such a mission. He then begins to document his days on his mission. On Day 1, Hathcock arrives at the borderline forest at nightfall. It was perfect timing for him, as usual. He switches his camouflage every few hours to adapt to the changing light of the sun. He traveled like a worm. His movements became slow and unnoticeable from a distance. This was the only way he had any chance of completing the mission and surviving. He sees a patrol walk extremely close to him and freeze in fear. They turn out to be goofing off, and Hathcock moves closer towards the NVA base. Hathcock sleeps in a state where he rests but his eyes are wide open to spot ambushes. Night had become day and it was Day 2. He advances to the left compound of the base and sees a group of NVA soldiers manning a machine gun and cooking breakfast. The ten soldiers go patrolling. The came closer to Hathcock but they were too focused on the mass of trees in front of them to notice a sniper lying on the ground. It was Day 3 and he was planning how to take out the General of the base. His heart stopped when he came face to face with a green viper. His discipline allows him to stay almost motionless as the snake passes by. He notices that the base is well defended against air attacks and not so much for ground. It is Day four and he is scoped in on the base. Hathcock is waiting for his victim. He saw him, but he was surrounded by his aides. Hathcock waits patiently until the old general is left alone with a single aide. A shot, and then the general's life ended. It was a direct shot in the chest. Hathcock leaves silently as the aides are trying to process what just happened. Hathcock manages to arrive at his pickup spot and flew back to Hill 55, his base. Hathcock arrives realizing that this was his last mission. He is thanked a thousand times by the captain and goes to rest for his departure back to the United States. After a long flight Hathcock is back home. He reunites with his wife, Jo and his son. He was a normal civilian now. After a few months, he realized that he missed the Marine Corps. and wanted to go back. Jo let him because she wanted him to be happy. He joined the Marine Corps. National Rifle Team. Land had sent Carlos a letter. He revealed that Burke ascended through the ranks and led a team. During a mission he died.... Hathcock was filled with grief as he remembered the best partner he ever had. A year later, Burke was awarded the Navy Cross, the second highest medal in the Marines for his bravery in protecting his squad. Hathcock received a command to return back to Vietnam. He completed many other missions but one day, the Viet set their base on fire. In order to save the life of a young officer, Hathcock removes his burning clothes and transfers the fire onto himself. He was now back in America. Hathcock was badly burned. He was out of war once in for all. He later went on to teach snipers. On April 20, 1979, Hathcock retired on the disabled list. Many years after the school which he helped start celebrated him and with tears in his eyes, Hathcock says, "I love you all"(Henderson 282).
Quote-"Remember, the most deadly thing on the battlefield is one well-aimed shot"(Henderson 277)
Reaction- The quote meant everything for Hathcock. It was what a sniper was. They didn't have the luxury to spray a million bullets. They had one shot and for that one shot, one kill. This was his motto and continues on with his legacy. As the people of his school say, "There have been many Marines. There have been many Marksman. But there has been only one sniper--Gunnery Sergeant Carlos N. Hathcock"(Henderson 277). Hathcock was not only the best at what he did, but he also was modest and valued the lives of his comrades over himself. This true story was truly inspirational.
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