[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 66 (Monday, May 10, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S4954]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    COMMEMORATING CARLOS HATHCOCK II

 Mr. HUTCHINSON. Mr. President, I rise today to honor a man of 
extraordinary courage. A fellow Arkansan. A soldier and a hero. His 
name was Carlos N. Hathcock II.
  Carlos was born on May 20, 1942, in Little Rock, Arkansas, the son of 
a welder. At the age of eight, Carlos saw his first Marine in full 
uniform. The sight left an indelible impression--a mark that would lead 
him to commit his life to the military. But in the meantime, he had 
some growing up to do. Carlos spent a great deal of time in the woods 
of North Little Rock, hunting squirrels and rabbits and bringing them 
home to eat. He had no problem filling the table. It seemed as if he 
was anticipating his future career.
  Carlos could hardly wait to start his career in the military. In May 
1959, at the age of seventeen, he signed up with the Marines with the 
permission of his father. The moment he turned eighteen, Carlos went 
into the Corps. He quickly realized his talent as an effective rifleman 
and began to carve out his niche in the Marines as a sniper. The 
intramurals of the Marine Shooting Team was his first official match, a 
match that he won handily. This victory would certainly not be the 
last. Carlos won many more shooting competitions and rose steadily 
through the ranks, with a only a few minor bumps along the way. Indeed, 
the months and years could be counted by championships and promotions, 
and marked by his marriage to his wife Jo and the birth of his son, 
``Sonny'' Hathcock.
  But soon enough, the skills of Sergeant Carlos Hathcock II were put 
to use and put to the test. In 1966, the Marines sent him to Vietnam. 
His tour of duty was no doubt difficult, but Carlos' amazing rifle 
skill made him a valuable asset to the Marines and an opponent to be 
dreaded by the North Vietnamese. For his great service, Carlos was 
presented with the Navy Commendation Medal with combat ``V.''
  Carlos proved himself again on his fateful second tour of duty in 
Vietnam in 1969. By this time, Carlos knew the sweltering jungles of 
Vietnam. He could become one with his surroundings. With painstaking 
patience, he crawled and lay in wait--his hands controlled, resisting 
the urge to scratch or stretch, his body still as death--until that 
moment when he struck. Carlos was an expert. He even gained a 
reputation among the Viet Cong who dubbed him ``Long Tra'ng,'' or white 
feather, for the single white feather in his hat. But as precise and 
deadly as he was, Carlos did not enjoy killing people. In fact, he 
saved the lives of his comrades in the 7th Marines, 1st Marine 
Division.
  On September 16, 1969, the amphibious assault vehicle Carlos was 
riding ran over a landmine and exploded. Carlos, sprayed with burning 
gasoline and his flesh melting away, focused only on helping his 
comrades. Carlos went back to the vehicle and dragged his companions 
away to safety. He was burned almost beyond recognition.
  Fortunately, Carlos was able to recover. For his heroism in Vietnam, 
Carlos was awarded a Purple Heart and Gold Star. And with swift 
dedication, Carlos went back to the Marines, serving almost ten more 
years, retiring on March 1, 1975, after nineteen years, ten months, and 
five days of service. He had entered the Marines as a callow youth and 
left a Gunnery Sergeant, a veteran, and a hero.
  He carried on his patriotism and service to America, speaking at 
military gatherings and teaching his sniper skills to the Virginia 
Beach Police Department. And in 1996, he was again awarded for his 
heroism in Vietnam, this time with a Silver Star.
  Carlos Hathcock II passed away on February 23, 1999. But he lives on 
in the minds of many. His son, Carlos Hathcock III, is also a gunnery 
sergeant in the Marines. The Marines have a library in Carlos' name and 
an annual award presented to the best marksman in the Marine Corps. 
Marksmanship of legendary proportions will remain synonymous with the 
name Hathcock.

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