| Edward James Land | |
|---|---|
| Nickname | Jim, EJ |
| Born | June 4, 1935 |
| Place of birth | Lincoln, Nebraska |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/branch | United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1953–1977 |
| Rank | Major |
| Unit | 1st Marine Division |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
| Awards | Legion of Merit |
| Other work | NRA Secretary |
Edward James Land, Jr. or Jim Land (1935) is a retired Marine Corps Officer who was instrumental in starting the Marine Scout Sniper program.[1][2]
United States Marine Corps
Land was born in Lincoln Nebraska in 1935.
He enlisted in the Marine Corps at age 17 in 1953. Land went on to become a Staff Sergeant and a Drill Instructor before attending Officer Candidate School in 1959. Upon graduating OCS, Land was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the 4th Marine Regiment. As an officer, Land demonstrated an aptitude for competitive shooting and was selected for the Marine Corps Rifle Team.[3]
In 1961 Land founded the first modern Sniper Course for the Marine Corps.[4]
In Vietnam, Land was the Commanding Officer of Carlos Hathcock, whom he had trained in one of his early Sniper Courses.[3]
After Vietnam, Land served as the USMC Marksmanship coordinator.[4]
After military service
Land retired from the Marine Corps as a Major in 1977.
Land was elected as Secretary of the National Rifle Association in 1994.[4]
References
- ↑ Senich, Peter R. (1996). The one-round war: USMC scout-snipers in Vietnam. Paladin Press. p. 10. ISBN 9780873648677. "The task of organizing a First Marine Division sniper program was assigned to Capt. Edward J. "Jim" Land Jr., an accomplished marksman and member of several championship Marine Corps shooting teams."
- ↑ Henderson, Charles (2003). Silent Warrior: The Marine Sniper's Vietnam Story Continues. Penguin Group (USA) Incorporated. p. 283. ISBN 978-0-425-18864-4. http://books.google.com/books?id=bIBhc5Lsrd8C&pg=PA283. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Henderson, Charles (1 October 2001). Marine Sniper: 93 Confirmed Killes. Penguin Group US. p. 53. ISBN 978-1-101-22091-7. http://books.google.com/books?id=A4qOIz9LseIC&pg=PA53. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "NRA Secretary Named Defender of Freedom". National Rifle Association. 15 February 2011. http://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/nra-secretary-named-defender-of-freedom/. Retrieved 23 August 2011.