Eric England, Master Sergeant, U.S.M.C.

[bpm990d]

From the Union County Historical Society in Blairsville, Georgia.

Eric England (born 1933 in Union County, Georgia) was a sniper for the United States Marine Corps 3rd Marine Division during the Vietnam War. Joining the US Marine Corps in 1950, England was a Nationals rifle shooting champion by age 19 in 1952.

In 1968, he won the all-time long-range champion (998 points out of 1000 with 45 Xs). He also won the Leech Cup (1000 yards open sights) and the Coast Guard cup. The year he won the Leech cup, he was there with Carlos Hathcock who won the Vanderbilt cup (1000 yards scoped). The Leech Cup is the oldest trophy awarded in competitive target shooting in the United States. Firing is with rifles equipped with metallic, non-magnifying sight The trophy is awarded to the highest-scoring competitor in the Long Range High Power Championship, determined through a 10-shot shoot off, after shooting 20 shots at 1000 yards slow fire prone. He held this record for 42 years.

There is also a great link in the story to the rifle he used in 1968 when he was on the USMC Shooting Team. "Old Yeller" currently resides at the National Firearms Museum.


Winchester Pre64 M70
Dunlap style stock
30-06 1/10 Douglas
Redfield International sights

Enjoy,

B