‘American Sniper' Chris Kyle awarded Texas Medal of Honor

The state’s highest military honor was given to the late Navy SEAL sniper Chris Kyle.

Gov. Greg Abbott presented the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor to Kyle’s family Wednesday morning. His wife, Taya, was there to receive it.

Kyle and his friend, Chad Littlefield, were killed two years ago by an Army veteran they were trying to help deal with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Eddie Ray Routh was sentenced to life in prison.

The governor spoke about Kyle’s bravery.

“We can never repay the debt we owe for the lives Chris Kyle saved and the freedom that he helped preserve for the U.S., but we can honor Chris Kyle’s memory, his patriotism, his inspiration, his sacrifice. For his remarkable valor, Chris Kyle is more assuredly deserving of the state's most highest supreme military award,” Abbott said.

The state also honored the World War II pilot who Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene was named after.