Chuck Mawhinney supported us at ACME Machine Rifles from the very beginning as we worked to offer the best valued DMR's and AM-10 Rifle Package. He generously signed a batch of scopes and the boxes that we were able auctioned off at the USCM Scout & Recon Banquet in Las Vegas during Shot Show. Chuck will be missed and was loved among the SNIPER and shooting community.
Over a 16-month tour, Mawhinney achieved 103 confirmed kills and 216 probable kills, setting a record for the most confirmed kills by a Marine Corps sniper. One of his most notable engagements occurred on February 14, 1969, near Da Nang. Anticipating a large North Vietnamese Army force attempting a river crossing, Mawhinney and his spotter positioned themselves strategically. As the enemy began to cross, he opened fire, delivering 16 headshots in just 30 seconds, effectively halting the enemy's advance.
After his military service, Mawhinney returned to Oregon, working for the U.S. Forest Service and leading a quiet life, seldom discussing his wartime experiences. His remarkable service remained largely unknown until a former comrade's memoir brought it to light. Subsequently, Mawhinney embraced public speaking, sharing his experiences to educate others and reshape perceptions about snipers, emphasizing that skilled snipers save lives by undermining the enemy's will to fight.
Mawhinney died on February 12, 2024, at the age of 75. His legacy endures as a testament to the skill and dedication of Marine Corps Scout Snipers.