ONeill is never named in the story, but hes called the Shooter. The first line says, The man who shot and killed Osama bin Laden sat in a wicker chair in my backyard. (Three retired members of SEAL Team Six have confirmed to NBC News that ONeill is the shooter in the Esquire article.). However CNN did not say whether its senior SEAL team operative was actually on the raid itself. Why would Bissonette do this? O'Neill and his fellow SEAL Matt Bissonnette, who wrote two books about his time in the special operations force, are both under investigation by the Naval . Four years after a former Navy SEAL was threatened with prison for writing about the Osama bin Laden raid, the Pentagon has dropped its claim that Matt Bissonnette revealed secrets harmful to . Its not our preference, nor is it in our best interests, to dig up dirt on SOF units or commands. Kirby had no comment on Oct. 31 when asked about the upcoming Fox interview with the unnamed shooter of bin Laden, but cited the SEAL code of ethics. Instead he has become a motivational speaker with an official biography which details a very generic version of his exploits. Before I turned over the Editor-in-Chief position to Jack Murphy, I did my best to warn them about bad things we heard on the street as it related to the main stream news press. 'The families told me it helped bring them some closure,' he told the paper. Also, it doesnt matter if other people, especially some politicians in Washington, dont hold the same ethic. And Rob said if this guy could be a SEAL, then so could he.'. O'Neill spoke with Anne-Marie Green on CBSN about the 20 years since 9/11, what it feels . Some are outlandish, and some require a deeper look. That's tough to hear., But, he added, They have every right to say it and that's fine.. The official was not aware of any similar request for an investigation of O'Neill. The revelation comes years after LALATE uncovered details about former SEAL Team Six member Matt Bissonnette who is set to release now a second book under the name Mark Owen. Robert J. O'Neill (born 10 April 1976) is a former United States Navy SEAL (1996-2012), TV news contributor, and author. Who shot Osama bin Laden? We are no longer accepting comments on this article. The Christian Science Monitor has expired. Barrett is the world leader in long-range, large-caliber, precision rifle design and manufacturing. Love him or hate him, Matt Bissonnette (aka Mark Owen) is a certified badass. ONeill then heads into the room as the point man pushes two women out of the way. In an interview with the Washington Post this week, former Navy SEAL Robert O'Neill, 38, publicly identified himself as the man who shot Bin Laden. He also acknowledges that at least two other SEALS, including Bissonnette, fired shots. He is Robert O'Neill, a 38-year-old Irish American from Butte, Montana.. It is said that the point man took his initial shots at his targets head, which was the only presentable threat to engage (again a head shot) was popping out. "We will get you home," the president said. A third version of events was then presented to CNNby an unamed 'SEAL Team Six operative'. The former Navy SEAL who shot Osama bin Laden in the face during the 2011 raid on his compound wants the photos of the Al Qaeda leader's dead body finally released to the public. Were run by a church, but were not only for church members and were not about converting people. And Im going to argue that we change lives precisely because we force open that too-small box that most human beings think they live in. The community would also be wise to engage, not isolate, the large veteran SEAL community. 'I need to havea head shot so he won't have a chance to clack himself off,' he said, 'In that second, I shot him, two times in the forehead. In Wednesday's segment, O'Neill said he encountered bin Laden after. Bissonnette was disciplined in November 2012 for sharing classified information with the makers of the popular video game Medal of Honor: Warfighter. Ex-SEAL Robert O'Neill reveals himself as shooter who killed Osama bin Laden By Joby Warrick November 6, 2014 In 15 years of dangerous missions from midnight raids on al-Qaeda safe houses. In August 2011, a New Yorker article quoted an unnamed counterterrorism official in describing the shooting. To my knowledge, Bissonette has stopped making false statements about myself but surely some damage has already been done. 2. His version of events is different. Their marital status is now unclear. Therefore, former U.S. Navy SEAL Robert O'Neill has an estimated net worth of $1.5 million. But the following frenzy on Bissonettes second 60 minutes appearance and the ONeill appearances have painted us into a corner of response. Making false statements and slandering someone on an Instagram account doesnt reflect well on Bissonette and opens him up to further liability. , updated A draft report of the internal investigation later showed that CIA Director Leon Panetta had revealed some classified details during an event at CIA headquarters. The Intercept claims SEAL Team 6 members Robert O'Neill and Matt Bissonnette wanted to benefit financially from the raid that ended with the death of bin Laden and allegedly made up details to . My work in Kenya, for example, was heavily influenced by a Christian Science Monitor article I had forced myself to read 10 years earlier. He was referred to throughout only as "the Shooter". It follows last year's Esquire magazine interview by Sharon Stone's ex-husband Phil Bronstein in which his identity was kept secret. ', A critical tenant (sic) of our Ethos is 'I do not advertise the nature of my work, nor seek recognition for my actions' SEAL commanders in angry letter to members of the service after O'Neill's decision to go public was annoounced. In a letter last week, the admiral and senior enlisted man who run the United States Naval Special Warfare Command reminded all present and former SEALs that a critical tenet of the organizations ethos is: I do not advertise the nature of my work, nor seek recognition for my actions., Violators of our Ethos are neither teammates in good standing, nor Teammates who represent Naval Special Warfare, Rear Adm. Brian Losey and Force Master Chief Michael Magaraci wrote. ONeill shoots bin Laden in the face and kills him. Its likely why the SEAL Admiral and Master Chief sent out a stern letter seemingly directed at Matt Bissonette and Robert ONeill with regards to their media blitz. Offering never before shared details, the presentation will include The Shooters experience in confronting Bin Laden, his description of the terrorist leaders final moments as well as what happened when he took his last breath, according to Fox. 'We were going hunting and a friend asked us to take a guy who was a Navy SEAL with us,' said Tom O'Neill, 65. Tra i membri di quell'unit c'era Matt Bissonnette, che insieme a un altro membro del Seal Team 6, O'Neill, afferma di aver sparato i colpi mortali. Veterans write books for many reasons and motives. O autor Mark Owen durante entrevista a CBS Reproduo/VEJA. Box 378 Red Hook, New York 12571 United States. But their dueling narratives are a sign of the backbiting and dysfunction that has roiled a once tight-knit band of warriors as former members violate their code of secrecy in search of the spotlight. As part of the legendary SEAL Team 6, Owen (we'll use his pen name) was a top-tier special operator who knew how to kick in doors, snatch HVTs and dispatch tangos with precision marksmanship. Also, why was anyone in a rush to assault the top floor with only a couple of assaulters? Rob ONeill, meanwhile, is the unnamed shooter who was credited in numerous magazine articles with firing the fatal shots, and according to two SEAL sources will be presented again as the shooter in a Fox News interview that airs later this month. O'Neill was the man on the ground we have never heard of but know exists,' it read. The U.S. government has never confirmed which individual killed bin Laden. MailOnline yesterday revealed that Rob O'Neill, a retired 16-year veteran of the elite squad is the man who says he shot bin Laden in the head to kill him. A SEAL source told MailOnline: 'The real shooter would never discuss it publicly. In the SEAL community, trust is incredibly important, your word is your bond, and you earn your Trident (SEAL pin) everyday. All of this has been done for personal gain., He said both men were now persona non grata with SEAL Team Six command in Virginia Beach. There was no autopsy, and he was buried at sea following traditional Islamic procedures to prevent any burial site from becoming a place for would-be militants to gather. As for the rumors floating out there among my fellow SEALs Ill say this: Id be less concerned with rumors and more concerned with concrete facts as it relates to the NCIS criminal allegations against Bissonette. Its a sad day to see this unfold the way it has, to see our small community being torn to shreds in the press. An update on major political events, candidates, and parties twice a week. So that said, write it down, participate in a documentary, film project or video game, or talk about it on TV. So, how much is Robert J. O'Neill worth at the age of 45 years of age. SEAL leadership, and the Pentagon for that matter, cant have personnel entrusted with SECRET or TOP SECRET security clearances, who are read on to Special Access Programs (SAP), openly talking about things that shouldnt be talked about. He donated his SEAL uniform to the museum's collection after the meeting, which was arranged by Carolyn Maloney, a Democratic member of the House of Representatives for New York. 'We're actually looking into changing my name,' his wife. Yes, Im a bit puzzled by Bissonettes statements but it speaks to his character in my opinion, and the current situation he finds himself in. It is not difficult," O'Neill said. US SOCOM and the Naval Special Warfare Command (WARCOM) are comprised of exemplary individuals who take their commitments and responsibilities to America, its citizens, and their teammates seriously. All Rights Reserved. His identity had been a closely-guarded secret but he is due to reveal his account in an interview with Fox News next week. The Post said O'Neill acknowledged shots were fired at bin Laden by at least two other Seal team members, including Matt Bissonnette, a former Seal who wrote a 2012 book about the raid entitled . A 2017 report from The Intercept claimed that O'Neill did shoot bin Laden but the Al-Qaeda leader may already have been dead. Ex-Navy Seal Robert O'Neill, 38, has told the Washington Post in an interview that he fired the fatal shot. This is where I side with Bissonettes narrative, which supports that the point man took the deadly head shots that left UBL dead. Former Navy SEAL Rob O'Neill was part of the raid and he says he was the one who fired the deadly shot. This means only on thing someone isnt telling the truth. [2] Contents The team got him," Mr. O'Neill said in an audio interview with freelance journalist Alex Quade, a former CNN correspondent that aired Friday on CNN's "AC360.". Ask yourself this question. He was decorated 52 times, leaving as senior chief petty officer. He later claimed to have delivered the fatal blow to bin Laden himself, though this claim has proven controversial and has been disputed by another Navy SEAL who was involved. The President is the Commander in Chief. The only other account by a named SEAL was given by Matthew Bissonnette, who wrote an inside account of the mission. Robert O'Neill's Twitter photos depict the member in SEAL attire. log out. The SEAL feared the woman was wearing a suicide vest. O'Neill today told the Washington Post that he had decided to disclose his identity in full after addressing relatives of the victims of the September 11 2001 terror attacks at the National September 11 Memorial Museum before it was officially opened. The terror leader was standing up, and O'Neill said he saw a gun, the AK-47 which bin Laden was known to have, on a shelf. Unless the point man was confident that the threat was neutralized from the shots he fired to the head (the only exposed part he had to engage). "And Tiny told me the response: 'Here's how you get the Americans out. Bin Laden's wife was screaming and O'Neill realised that a child was present too - bin Laden's youngest son. His decorations includetwo Silver Stars, four Bronze Stars with Valor, a Joint Service Commendation Medal with Valor, three Presidential Unit citations, and two Navy/Marine Corps Commendations with Valor. According to the site, public revelations about the Bin Laden raid had led to a rift in the tight-knit community of America's special operations warriors. Joint Service Commendation Medals are given for senior service on a joint military staff and is the most senior of the commendation medals. Follow NBC News Investigations on Twitter and Facebook. How can you be holding it against me?. It doesnt matter what the President or his staff said in this instance two wrongs dont make a right. Dueling SEAL Team Six narratives, CIA: Zero Dark Thirty not a realistic portrayal of hunt for Osama bin Laden. Were about kicking down the door of thought everywhere and saying, You are bigger and more capable than you realize. Silver Stars, the military's third highest honor, are awarded for extraordinary gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States. In the past, weve actually had some very positive exchanges with senior members of U.S. Special Operations Command (US SOCOM) about media-related issues. Last November, when O'Neill took credit for firing the shot that killed bin Laden, he also acknowledged at least two other Navy SEAL members, including Matt Bissonnette, shot at the al Qaeda leader. And I was talking to another SEAL Team Six operator with whom I've served for 20 years. *Lighting a path to truth* Former Navy JAG Worldwide U.S. Military Defense. Science Monitor has expired. A second source told MailOnline that other SEALs were expected to speak out anonymously against O'Neill. Because this version of events differs from the account that the White House and other U.S. officials have given, Adm. William McRaven, the head of U.S. Special Operations Command personally went back to the head of Team Six to examine the contradicting claims. Details of three of his missions have been turned into Hollywood action hits. All rights reserved. SOFREP declined to speak with NCIS and were going on record and putting this in writing for a reason. Sign up and stay up to date with our daily newsletter. Youll have to make up your own mind. IE 11 is not supported. To suggest that I or anyone on this site is responsible for Bissonettes criminal investigation is ludicrous. 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