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USMC Sniper stops insurgents from 950 yards
http://www.marines.mil/marinelink/m...58?opendocument ^

Posted on 11/30/2004 3:35:05 PM PST by InfantryMarine

USMC Sniper stops insurgents from 950 yards

http://www.marines.mil/marinelink/m...58?opendocument

FALLUJAH, Iraq (Nov. 27, 2004) -- A U.S. Marine sniper waited patiently inside a one-story house deep within the city. Lying in the prone position for several hours, he scanned the area through his scope before he finally found the three insurgents responsible for two previous mortar attacks.

Sgt. Memo M. Sandoval, a platoon sergeant with Scout Sniper Platoon, Headquarters and Service Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, needed to positively identify the insurgents before he could take his shot.

Sandoval, 26, saw that one of the men was about to place a mortar in a mortar tube. He knew he had to make a well-aimed shot before the insurgent gunner launched the deadly round. Sandoval cleared his thoughts and slowed his breathing as he gently squeezed the trigger of his M-40A3 sniper rifle. The 7.62 mm round covered the 950 yards in a flash, slamming into the chest of the first insurgent.

"The battalion (executive officer) ordered me to 'make the mortars stop,'" said Sandoval, a native of El Paso, Texas. "I took it personally and went out specifically to stop the insurgents." With two more insurgents still alive and ready to continue the mortar attack, Sandoval composed himself for the next shot at the assistant gunner. The last two shots took out the driver of the vehicle that carried the weapon.

"When I finally spotted them along a tree line, I realized how far they were but it was surprising how easy it was," said Sandoval.

Those four shots were the longest in Sandoval has taken since he became a scout sniper.

"It was very impressive of Sandoval to shoot from so far away and be on target with all four shots," said 1st Lt. Samuel Rosales, a platoon commander with Scout Sniper Platoon, H&S Co., 3/5.

"When you are being mortared you never know where they will land, to be able to stop them from shooting anymore felt good," said Sandoval.

He joined the Marine Corps straight out of high school in 1997 and has been with 3/5 since April. His leadership ability has reflected on the Marines around him and allowed Sandoval to accomplish his mission.

"(Sandoval) is filling a staff noncommissioned officer's billet, He is a great Marine to work with," said Rosales, 32, a native of San Clemente, Calif.

After recently reenlisting for four more years, Sandoval, who has been in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom since September, hopes to represent the United States in the Olympics in competition shooting.

Sandoval says a fellow Marine, Staff Sgt. Jared M. Casanova, with 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, helped him improve his skills with the rifle, which has become a valuable commodity in Iraq.

"We have always been in competitions against each other, one day he would win and the next day I would win," said Sandoval. "Out here in Iraq it is a two way rifle range, with insurgents shooting at you. You have to make well aimed shots."


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: banglist; fallujah; iraq; marines; marinesnipers; muslims; oneshotonekill
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1 posted on 11/30/2004 3:35:06 PM PST by InfantryMarine
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To: InfantryMarine

Nice shootin', Marine!


2 posted on 11/30/2004 3:36:38 PM PST by Dog Gone
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To: InfantryMarine

As a Golfer I know how far this is,THAT IS AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!


3 posted on 11/30/2004 3:39:10 PM PST by cmsgop ( Who's High Pitch ?, I'm Kelly Clarkson)
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To: InfantryMarine
The 7.62 mm round covered the 950 yards in a flash, slamming into the chest of the first insurgent.

A 950 yard bullseye. Damn.

4 posted on 11/30/2004 3:39:33 PM PST by randog (What the....?!)
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To: Dog Gone

Yea ROGER THAT!! Great Shooting Marine!


5 posted on 11/30/2004 3:39:34 PM PST by SFC Chromey (Did 13 months in Iraq and of COURSE I voted for BUSH!)
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To: InfantryMarine

Far out!
Our guys rule!


6 posted on 11/30/2004 3:40:14 PM PST by visualops (Freedom is worth fighting for, dying for and standing for: the advance of freedom leads to peace-GWB)
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To: Dog Gone

OUT FREAKING STANDING !


7 posted on 11/30/2004 3:40:16 PM PST by SFC Chromey (Did 13 months in Iraq and of COURSE I voted for BUSH!)
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To: InfantryMarine

Great shooting, but I dont think news stories of snipers should use their names.


8 posted on 11/30/2004 3:40:52 PM PST by sgtbono2002
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To: InfantryMarine; Americanwolfsbrother

Deadeye! 4 shots 4 kills.... I like that score!


9 posted on 11/30/2004 3:41:26 PM PST by Americanwolf (www.geocities.com/arizonapatriots/ArizonaPatriots.html.. Serving those who serve us.)
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To: InfantryMarine

Man, that's impressive. How much does a 7.62 drop at 950 yards?


10 posted on 11/30/2004 3:41:28 PM PST by dumpdaschle (Demand that French imperialists leave the Ivory Coast.)
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To: InfantryMarine

The link is no good?


11 posted on 11/30/2004 3:41:37 PM PST by visualops (Freedom is worth fighting for, dying for and standing for: the advance of freedom leads to peace-GWB)
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To: InfantryMarine
"...from 950 yards."

Amazing! 9 1/2 football fields. That's amazing accuracy there. May God watch over him as he defends the cause of Freedom.

12 posted on 11/30/2004 3:42:27 PM PST by ThirstyMan
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To: randog

.6 miles or so, nice


13 posted on 11/30/2004 3:43:07 PM PST by fooman (Get real with Kim Jung Mentally Ill about proliferation)
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To: InfantryMarine

For those of you interested, here is a link to Adopt a Sniper.

http://www.adoptasniper.org/items.html


14 posted on 11/30/2004 3:43:29 PM PST by Modok
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To: InfantryMarine

A medal is warranted. Hard telling how many of his buddies he saved from death or maiming.


15 posted on 11/30/2004 3:43:42 PM PST by marty60
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To: dumpdaschle

better than a sniper=army cannon, howitzer or mortar: one shot and 4 kills....


16 posted on 11/30/2004 3:44:07 PM PST by donmeaker (Why did the Romans cross the road? To keep the slaves from revolting again.)
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To: InfantryMarine
Hey guys there is another thread on this story!
But somewhere Carlos Hathcock is smiling, his legacy lives on. Give this young man a white feather [if you have to ask, ask a Marine scout sniper!]
17 posted on 11/30/2004 3:44:08 PM PST by TMSuchman (American by birth,rebel by choice, MARINE BY GOD!)
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To: InfantryMarine

A REAL American hero...


18 posted on 11/30/2004 3:44:23 PM PST by K1avg
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To: InfantryMarine
Ok I found the article here



Sergeant Memo M. Sandoval, a platoon sergeant with Scout Sniper Platoon, Headquarters and Service Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, stopped insurgents from launching further mortar attacks against his fellow Marines recently. The native of El Paso, Texas, made the shots from a distance of 950 yards.
Photo by: Lance Cpl. Miguel A. Carrasco Jr.
19 posted on 11/30/2004 3:45:36 PM PST by visualops (Freedom is worth fighting for, dying for and standing for: the advance of freedom leads to peace-GWB)
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To: fooman

make that .54 miles. over half a mile....


20 posted on 11/30/2004 3:45:47 PM PST by fooman (Get real with Kim Jung Mentally Ill about proliferation)
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