Eric England

Master Sergeant Eric Roy England (April 15, 1933 – April 7, 2018) was a sniper for the United States Marine Corps 3rd Marine Division during the Vietnam War. He had 98 confirmed kills, and many more unconfirmed. Joining the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) in 1950, England was a Nationals rifle shooting champion by age 19 in 1952, and a long-range champion by 1968. He received his first competitive training in USMC bootcamp from his cousin James Harry Turner, at that time a Marine weapons instructor. This led to a 24-year career on the USMC rifle team, winning national and international competitions as participant and coach.

Although little-known outside of sniper circles, England was highly respected, and was the subject of the book Phantom of Phu Bai, written by J. B. Turner. A sculpture in England's honor was erected at the county courthouse in Union County, Georgia, in 2006.

England married Glenda Sue Berrong of Blairsville, Georgia, in 1979, and they remained married until his death. He died at the V.A. Hospital in Decatur, Georgia on April 7, 2018, at the age of 84. He was survived by his son Howard Beck, and three grandchildren.