A fused thermal and a direct view aiming sight includes an optical gun sight, a thermal sight, and a beam combiner. The optical sight generates a direct view image of an aiming point or reticle superimposed on a target scene. The thermal sight generates a monochromic thermal image of the target scene. The combiner is positioned behind a 1.times. non-magnified optical sight and the thermal sight and in front of an exit pupil of the thermal sight. The combiner is positioned right behind the intermediate image plane of a magnified optical sight between an objective lens and an eyepiece. The combiner passes the direct view image and reflects the thermal image to the exit pupil to fuse the thermal image onto the direct view image for an operator to see at the exit pupil as a combined thermal and direct view optical image of the target scene together with the aiming reticle.