Since the publication of American Sniper, Kyle's exploits in Iraq during the height of the war have taken on almost mythic proportions and many of his fellow soldiers regard his actions during his four deployments in Iraq as heroic. During the November 2004 American siege of Fallujah, for example, Kyle saved an injured Marine's life by dragging him to safety while taking and returning fire down an alleyway.

Kyle also wrote in his book that he had 160 "confirmed kills" as a sniper. Service members in battle largely self-report the number of enemy combatants they kill.

"SEALs are silent warriors, and I'm a SEAL down to my soul," Kyle wrote inAmerican Sniper. "If you want to check me out, ask a SEAL."

Two members of the SEAL community said that while Kyle's actions under fire were commendable, he tarnished his accomplishments through misrepresentation.

"It takes away from the legitimate heroism he showed," said a retired SEAL who was deployed to Iraq when Kyle was also deployed there.

The 2004 incident resulted in a Bronze Star with Valor, one of three that Kyle was awarded. That action was recommended by his commanding officers for a Silver Star, but it was denied by the secretary of the Navy at the time. Kyle was aware that the Silver Star was denied, according to his autobiography, and did not count it among the two Silver Stars he claimed to receive. He did not say in the book what either of those Silver Stars were for.

Retired Army Lt. Col. Robert Bateman, a military historian, said that public reports of stolen valor became more common in the decade after the Vietnam War. Bateman also said it was inexcusable that Kyle, or any other veteran, would inflate his record, even if the veteran, like Kyle, had demonstrated clear heroism during his service.