DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY NANYPERSONNELCOMMAND 5720 INTEGRITY DRIVE MILLINGTON TN 38055-0000 5720 PERS January 25, 2016 Ms. Sheelagh McNeill The Intercept/First Look Media 114 Su?Avenue l9U?Floor New York, NY 10011 Dear Ms. McNeill: SUBJECT: YOUR FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA) REQUEST This is in response to your Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. You seek a copy of available specific award citations maintained by this command pertaining to Christopher S. Kyle, as outlined in your request. Your request was received in this office (PERS-OOJ) on January 21, 2016, and has been assigned FOIA case file number CNPC20160201 by this command. A releasable copy of available responsive award citations is enclosed. Information contained in documents which may impact other individuals has been excised. The social security number pertaining to Mr. Kyle has been excised as this number may be utilized by beneficiaries. Descriptive operational information has been excised. The excised portions of the documents are exempt from disclosure under FOIA exemptions 6 and Release of such information would be a clearly unwarranted invasion of other individuals? personal privacy. The excised information is consubstantially exempt from disclosure under FOIA exemption 7F. Release of such information could reasonably be expected to endanger the life or physical safety of U.S. Navy personnel and/or Mr. Kyle?s family. Because your request has been partially denied by this command, you are advised of your right to appeal this determination in writing to the Office of the Judge Advocate General, OJAG Code 14, 1322 Patterson Avenue SE Suite 3000, Washington Navy Yard, DC 20374-5066. If an appeal is deemed necessary, it must be received in that office within 60 calendar days from the date of this letter, in order to be considered. To expedite an appeal, you should enclose a copy of this letter and a copy of the original request along with a statement regarding why your appeal should 5720 PERS January 25, 2016 be granted. The letter of appeal and the envelope should bear the notation, I am the official responsible for the partial denial of your request. Should you wish to discuss the processing of your request by this command, you may contact the undersigned at (901) 874-3165. Sincerely, (ii/WW D. P. GERMAN Officer By direction - i? LL (9)004") DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY AWARDED THE NAVY AND MARINE CORPS ACHIEVEMENT MEDAL COMBAT DISTINGUISH ING DEVICE) 0 INTELLIGENCE SPECIALIST SECOND CLASS (SEA-AIR AND LAND) )l?llER S. KYLE, UNITED STATES NAVY FOR HEROIC ACHIEVEMENT As AN OPERATOR FOR NAVAL SPECIAL WARFARE TASK GROUP CENTRAL COMMAND, CHARLIE PLATOON DEPLOYED WITH COMMANDER, UNITED STATES FIFTH FLEET FROM 19 MARCH 1'0 20 APRIL. 2003 IN SUPPORT OF OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOMOPERATIONAL EXPERTISE CONDUCTINGADIRECI ACTION (MU) ASSAULT OPERATING UNDER BOSTILE HE AND TRACKED - -- - .so CALIBER GUN FOR OVER TEN HOURS. ms EFFORTS DIRECTLY CONTRIBUTED TOTIIE NATIONAL COM OF PROTECTING TUE ARABIAN GULF FROM AN ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTER AND ENABLED ESTABLISH AN OPERATING BASE IN IRAQ. Ins MANAGERIAL ABILITY, PERSONAL INITIATIVE, AND UN REFLECTEII CREDIT UPON AND WERE IN KEEPING TUE TRADITIONS OF THE UNITED STATES NAVAL SERVICE. GIVEN nus DAT or an SEPTEMBER 2003 - rr'um 0' .. "5 7 J. REATING Vice Admiral, United States Navy Commander, United States FIFTH Fleet NAVRO (NV. rm a TOpe'raswna 4 fd?r't?ai :gSgo?" I rags?sgaq?gg i_ {?exca??l Maxim 52?lialmgi?antgof the unit may am to . takes plea??fgs? 43 .331fai?Sf?W-?ka-as' ag?t .. 1a . . w. Iaga-ifns?t?f?ti?fe I gal'Nayal if?! 3&3: my; . . Task .ab$an Unit?Wadi. ?31m25;" wasCJlriat aggz??gano . . . mgoagqu? '19 . Naval pat}, .itvg??s?a; 1 a. Tait-ii?le . during u; . ,?Jcamb?at aaeratiganff ?3.13 - 4 a .iglarfa're 1? ,g?nned a 361?; 499222;; I J. gentionai: 1&enemy 'faf. \Ke? .. 1: ., Kb", .??ial :rn'er eat" . b} 3? . . 1-13: zealous - er: eeqragega ?act .tion to duty,? Patty, 012-1139? iKyla- cridi?t hipself and uznara 5ths?:highest? tra'diti?p?p qt Naval service. The Cambaf Di'siingui'shing For t' Pgis?dint, J. MA?oIii Rear Admiral, United Comander, States Navy Naval Special Warfare Command THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY ??inTCm?, 3.3. 29 Jun 2006 MEMORANDUM FOR COMMANDANT ?me MARINE subj: RECOMMENDATION FOR SILVER STAR MEDAL. Ref: Section 6330, Title 10, US. Code SECNAVINST 1650.16 End: (1) Fit Cdr, SEAL Team 8 NAVMC 11533 (BF) of 10 Mar 05 with ends 1. After considering the recommendations contained in enclosure 1), the awarding of the Bronze Star Medal With. combat as' the more appropriate award, v' Sta: Medal, to Intelligence Specialist Second Class Christopher Kyle, US 6 I for his actions from 01 November to 01 December 2004, is approvedreview of enclosure (1), upon transfer to the Fleet Reserve or Fleet Marine Reserve, Ch?) (1) in accordance With references and Intelligence Specialist Second Class Christopher Kyle, USN, will be accorded the bene?ts of extraordinary heroism. Donald C. Winter Copy to: HQMC CNO (DNS-35) 9'7 Pets?4832 NDB 55 U) aims Hf Naval @yem?nns The President. of the United States takes pleasure in'pr'esenting the SILVER STAR MEDAL to SPECIAL WARFARE OPERATOR FIRST CLASS (SEA, AIR LAND) GRISTOPHER S. K'an UNITED STATES NAVY for service as set forth in the following For. conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving Sniper while assigned .to Naval Special Warfare 't i so support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM from Petty Officer Kyle?s heroic actions, professionalism and incredible sniper skills had . I QJ U3 tremendous impact in the success of U.S. and Iraqi he the insurgency and seizing key areas of the the epicenter of, Al Qaeda and insurgent activity in Ir . EH1) LF) air niper overwatch missions, he personally accounted fo confirme enemy fighters killed and dozens more probably kills [67 wounded, Petty Officer Kyle's efforts were integral to the success (7) - of four U.S. Amy and Marine Corps Battalion Task Force operations, U.S. and Iraqi Army combat outposts in previously 3. His en acements directl prevented casualties a aq; Forces on more than 30 occasions, includina ene a Lade and mortar teams eliminated, 2. and dozens of insurgents fighters es roye ing U.S. and Iraqi forces ?with small arms. By his bold leadership, courageous actions, and total dedication to duty, _Petty Officer Kyle reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. - - :1 C. '1 (DUI (For the President Admiral, United States Navy Chief of Naval Operations Ltgiei COMMANDER NAVAL SPECIAL WARFARE COMMAND Qt) The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the BRONZE STAR MEDAL (Gold Star in lieu of the Third Award) to SPECIAL HAREARS 09333203 FIRST CLASS (83R, AIR AND LAND) CERISTOPEER S. KYLE UNITED SIAESS NAVY for service as set forth in the following C1132: .: For heroic achievement in connect? ith combat rations against the enemy as Task Uni Lead Sniper . . ope for Naval Special Warfare Task ort of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM from Petty Officer Kyle's unsurpassed ski an battlefield diligence protected the lives of countless coalition forces. He provided sniper overwatch security for his observation post (OP) and Marine elements. Throughout the day, he effectively engaged multiple enemy fighters maneuvering against him and 0.5. Marine Corps positions. After nightfall, he again engaged a group of enemy fighters targeting the with rocket propelled grenades (RPG). When U.S. Marine positions Came under a large-scale coordinated attack, he requested to stay to provide assistance while part of his element extracted. He successfully engaged an insurgent sniper with a scoped weapon and another with an An-?i. Additionally, he engaged two enemy fighters targeting a nearby Marine rifle squad with RPGs, neutralizing an effective and dedicated enemy attack and preventing friendly casualties. By his extraordinary guidance, zealous initiative, and total dedication to duty, Petty Officer Kyle reflected g:eat credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized. For the President, . D. KERNAN Rear Admiral, United States Navy Commander, Naval Special Warfare Command X7) THE UNITED STATES 6OF AMERICA THHS HS T0 CERTIFY THAT - THE PRESIDENT THE UNITED) STATES OF AMERICA 11-11 A I) 131.. (u bin Tame) BROINZE STAR (GOLD STAR IN LEIU OF THE THIRD AWARD WITH COMBAT TO - SPECIAL WARFARE OPERATOR FIRST CLASS (SEA, AIR AND LAND) CHRISTOPHER s. KYLE UNITED STATES NAVY 11" HEROIC ACHIEVEMENT FROM 16 APRIL '1?0 1 OCTOBER 2008 mu m: 0? ?l3 NAVY LGWINIW MADMIRAL, mumnam NAVY JANUARY 2009 COMMANDER. NAVAL SPECIAL WARFARE COMMAND GIVEN nus 291-" nav'or Ill?) (4.) (1W) (1.) (1) THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Tll-Itllb? 1H5 TO THAT THE PRESHDENT 01b" THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. HAS AWARIIMGIID THE BR ONZE NLEEDAIA (WITH COMBAT . T0 INTELLIGENCE SPECIALIST SECOND CLASS (SEA, AIR AND LAND) CHRISTOPHER KYLE UNITED STATES NAVY 11" HEROIC ACHIEVEMENT FROM 1 NOVENIBER TO 2004 GIVEN THIS 29th lhn? 01" June 2006 sumac-nun cor-I'm: uavr IIWII. REV.