Jim Has an Exciting New Book Coming!
I’m pleased to announce I’m writing another book.
Chuck Mawhinney, a Vietnam war veteran, has the most confirmed kills of any sniper in the history of the U.S. Marine Corp. As a writer and one who lived through the turmoil of that war I am honored to write his story.
Chuck’s life story is begging to be told. He was not only a deadly killer, but also a likable, genuine person who reeks with charisma. Chuck’s colorful blue-collar upbringing in mountain-town Lakeview Oregon during the 50’s and 60’s contributed mightily to his becoming the man he is. Having a city policeman father was not only character building but hysterically funny at times. In Juvenile Hall there were two file cabinets: one for the bad kids in town and one for Chuck Mawhinney. Chuck liked drinking, cool cars and fast motorcycles.
In 1967 at the age of 18 he joined the Marines and began his ascent from recruit to the Marine Corps’ most deadly sniper. During his tours – in one of the most dangerous war zones of Vietnam – his character and charisma helped him deal with life and death in a hell hole with other young men a long way from home.
After Vietnam Chuck married and settled into his post war life, raised a family, and was content that no one knew of his accomplishments in war. In 1991 he was startled and dismayed when outed by a fellow Marine sniper, Joseph Ward, who spoke of Chuck’s number of kills in his book, Dear Mom. Newspapers picked up the story and Chuck’s life changed forever. He was troubled at first but accepted his new fame and used the opportunity to train service men and lawmen in the art of long-distance shooting.
Chuck’s life story will be revealed through this book at an opportune time. After years of hoping the memory would just go away, people are now curious and reading about the Vietnam War.
This book has been an ongoing project with hundreds of hours of consulting with Chuck in his man-cave garage in Eastern Oregon. I’ve read dozens of books, biographies and history books about the war. In March of this year I was in Vietnam where I toured battle sites with a group of American Vets from Saigon all the way up to Hanoi.
With a Vet from Minnesota I searched out and found Chuck’s combat base. Named An Hoi, now deserted, lost and jungle covered, the vacated Marine base is located 20 miles southeast of Da Nang. I stood on the abandoned airstrip in horrendous heat imagining the sounds and sites of the base during war 50 years ago.