Medal of Honor for ‘American Sniper?’

Rep. Roger Williams (R-Texas) is pushing President Obama to award the Medal of Honor posthumously to Chris Kyle, the late Navy Seal whose service in Iraq were depicted in the hit film “American Sniper.”

“Chris gave the ultimate sacrifice and served his nation with distinction and bravery while saving countless American lives,” Williams said in a statement.

Williams says he is introducing legislation that asks Obama to give the medal posthumously to Kyle for “acts of valor during Operation Iraqi Freedom.”

“There is no doubt that this true American hero is worthy of our nation’s highest military honor. While the Medal of Honor will not bring back a husband, father, son and a model Texan, we owe Chris Kyle and his family a great deal of gratitude for his relentless devotion to his country,” he added.

Since it was first presented in 1863, the Medal of Honor has been awarded more than 3,500 times.

Kyle died at a shooting range on Feb. 2, 2013. He was credited with the most sniper kills in U.S. military history. His best-selling autobiography, based on his four tours of duty in Iraq, formed the basis of the blockbuster film.

Earlier this week, a jury in Texas found ex-Marine Eddie Ray Routh guilty of murdering Kyle and his friend, Chad Littlefield. Routh’s defense team argued that he was insane and did not know the killings were wrong at the time. 

Texas Gov. Greg Abbot (R) declared Feb. 2, 2015, “Chris Kyle Day.”