Unkel Gilbey
New member
As a active duty Marine, and Competitive shooter, I'd heard the name "Hathcock" the first time at the 1988 Western Divisional Rifle and Pistol Championships. I remember thinking that, "This was some incredible feat for a Marine to be able to do!" Not only to WIN the Wimbeldon cup, become a Distinguished Marksman, but to also amass such an incredible count for confirmed kills in combat. Anyone who's ever been on the firing line knows that it takes supreme concentration to just get a NRA Expert qualification, and yet the Gunny had gone on to win the most prestigious Long range rifle shooting match on the planet. Just reading of the Gunnys exploits in the book, "Marine Sniper, 93 Confirmed Kills" is enough to send shivers down your spine. THEN, I had a chance to meet the Marine Superman at a Rifle Match down at Stone Bay, Camp Lejuene and my first thought was, What? This short, skinny guy? THIS is the incredible, Terrible "Long Tr'ang" who terrorized the NVA and Viet Cong? But two minutes after I started speaking to him (really just listening) and I was convinced that I was in the presence of a truely great Marine. Just the fact that old, Grizzled Master Sergeants, and Chief Warrent Officers who stood in complete Awe in his presence, and were as quiet and respectful as Boot camp recruits was the proof that I needed. It was like a wall of quiet would follow him around up and down the firing line. I think everybody probably shot a little better that day, such was the Impact of his presence. And later on, in fact late last year, I had the Privilge of working with his son, Carlos III at Cherry Point. He was the coach of our Intramural Rifle and Pistol team. Even though we took second in the Rifle match and second in the ITT match (Rattle Battle) the respect that he commanded was something to behold. I count Carlos (the son) as my friend, and I feel blessed to have met his father. May he always be remembered, and may his legacy - the Marine Scout/Sniper school and all its graduates, never fall by the wayside due to some Dove in our government with some lofty ideal that Snipers are Immoral and wrong. Two minutes in the presence of Long Tr'ang would change anyones mind! Auf wiedersehen Gunny!