T his week, Matt Bissonnette will undergo surgery to remove remnants of the most famous gunfight of this century from his body. He crumpled onto the floor in front of his bed and I hit him again, Bap! Overexposure in the Media:Publishing a book about the UBL raid so soon after, and coming out to openly talk to the press about the mission has created a media frenzy that comes with unexpected consequences. We formally asked that Matt stop, and we informed Mr. Luskin that two agents from NCIS had in fact contacted SOFREP (one from the financial crimes division). SOFREPs contributing editors are comprised of former Special Operations veterans from US and Coalition units. ONeill told Esquire that ultimately there were many more wounds on the body than the ones he inflicted. I had no idea he was going to write about the UBL raid and not get it cleared through official channels. Bin Ladens body was flown to a US Navy ship, where DNA testing confirmed his identity. 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. Personal life [ edit] 21:13 GMT 06 Nov 2014 Monitor journalism changes lives because we open that too-small box that most people think they live in. O'Neill said on Friday that he could evacuate Americans from Afghanistan with "nine guys. This contradicts the account of Matt Bissonnette, another former Seal involved. The decision of O'Neill to go public and speak at length will prompt fresh examination of that version of events, in which the SEAL said that 'The Shooter', now known to be O'Neill, had fired the first,non-fatal shot at bin Laden and that other SEALs finished him off. 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. Following this, senior Pentagon officials told CNN that the conclusions they reached were that Bissonnette was wrong in his version of events. Copyright 2023 IBTimes LLC. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. 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. Bissonnette was disciplined in November 2012 for sharing classified information with the makers of the popular video game Medal of Honor: Warfighter. He added:'People are asking if we are worried that ISIS will come and get us because Rob is going public. . The SEAL Team Six member who was named as the man who shot Osama bin Laden dead is facing a whispering campaign from other SEALs claiming that his account of the killing is not truthful. The Navy SEALs sent to Pakistan were experienced combat veterans and highly trained for the mission, which included a mockup of bin Ladens compound. In the SEAL community, trust is incredibly important, your word is your bond, and you earn your Trident (SEAL pin) everyday. We still love each other.'. Were the bran muffin of journalism. O'Neill told Cain: "I'm a big believer in the acronym KISS: Keep it simple, stupid. However being an unsung hero was not enough. He will speak fully of his role in that action later in November in the first part of a two-part Fox News interview. I deployed four times to the Middle East and once to Afghanistan. A weekly digest of Monitor views and insightful commentary on major events. and Matt Bissonnette, . Pentagon officials have said that it's not clear whose shots actually killed bin Laden. Bissonnette released his controversial book No Easy Day in 2012 - under the pen-name Mark Owen - and immediately faced the ire of the Pentagon and fellow SEALs. Science Monitor has expired. But upon his return stateside, ONeill identified himself as the trigger-man to members of the public while drinking in some favorite SEAL bars in Virginia Beach, VA. (This account was independently verified by a second source.) The other man to speak, Bissonette, is under investigation over money he has earned from the speeches he has made since publishing his tell-all book under the pseudonym Mark Owen, The New York Times revealed. He was the lead jumper on the Maersk Alabama, the ship taken over by Somali pirates, whose rescue turned into the Oscar-winning movie Captain Phillips. continue to use the site without a Its either OK to talk shop or it isnt., I have 40 names in the contact list of my cell phone that are dead. In that interview, published in March 2013, he said that he burst into bin Laden's bedroom, saw a gun within bin Laden's reach, and shot him in the forehead. Robert O'Neill's Twitter photos depict the member in SEAL attire. During July of this year, our law firm confronted Bissonettes Washington DC lawyer, Bob Luskin (his new attorney, his old one is being sued), when we learned that false statements were being made publicly by Bissonette. All evidence that Im aware of points to the UBL mission as being a compartmentalized Special Access Program. 'Members of SEAL Team Six havent discussed it publicly so theres a reasonable chance hes not being truthful. It was his youngest wife, Amal.'. Barrett products are used by civilians, sport shooters, law enforcement agencies, the United States military, and more than 75 State Department-approved countries around the world. Bin Ladens guards and several other household members were shot and killed. We shouldn't be cowering in fear.'. "Look, I don't want to be in charge, but if I was - oh I want to get the Americans? '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. Boal was part of the large audience. The first SEAL in the stack, the point man, sees a tall man stick his head out of the bedroom door on the third floor. He joined NBC News in 2013 after three years as an investigative producer for ABC News. Team member Robert O'Neill, the. He left the Navy right around the time Bissonnettes book hit the stands in September. Neither man is the SEAL who was first up the stairs at bin Ladens Pakistan compound and fired the first shot at Osama. O'Neill et un autre marin, Matt Bissonnette, auraient ensuite tir sur Ben Laden alors qu'il convulsait sur le sol [7], [8], [9], [10]. You can say, POTUS said this and POTUS said that, but you and I dont know what was or was not classified. For O'Neill, the threat is a devastating fall from a position as a national if unknown hero. He has received numerous awards and decorations, including two Silver Stars, four Bronze Stars with Valor, and the Defense Superior Service Medal. Doesnt that seem odd to people? Support Veteran Journalism . FOLLOW MORE IBT NEWS ON THE BELOW CHANNELS, IBT Fast Start - Let the best of International News come to you. CNN's Pentagon reporter said that military officials concluded the account was inaccurate. Details of three of his missions have been turned into Hollywood action hits. The CNN source said that it would have been impossible for The Shooter - O'Neill - to have seen a gun because the only two recovered from the bedroom were sitting on a shelf above the frame of the door, so invisible to someone rushing in the door. 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. He is one of the most distinguished members ever of the elite force - but now faces being frozen out of its circles for revealing its most closely-held secrets. A second source told MailOnline that other SEALs were expected to speak out anonymously against O'Neill. Both Bissonette and ONeill have conflicting narratives, and while no two people experience events alike, there are fundamental inconsistencies with their two stories. But O'Neill's and Bissonnette's decisions to go public with their role violates the SEALs' tenets and irritates many in the military. Magaraci and Losey wrote. The second time as he's going down. Bap! Traversing up the mountain was an act of extreme selflessness. But his father gave a different story in his exclusive interview with MailOnline. 1 best-seller. Get stories that empower and uplift daily. Stay informed about the latest scientific discoveries & breakthroughs. It is not difficult," O'Neill said. His account did not match the story that ONeill was telling Esquire magazine around the same time. I have 40 names in the contact list of my cell phone that are dead. It comes after Bissonnette submitted a draft of his second book - No Hero: The Evolution Of A Navy SEAL - for approval from the Department of Defense, including slides and notes from his speeches. Geronimo, E.K.I.A. and Matt Bissonnette, . There's how many former generals, how many former CIA directors, how many former secretaries of defense? A 2017 report from The Intercept claimed that O'Neill did shoot bin Laden but the Al-Qaeda leader may already have been dead. I dont want to touch that.'. Common sense has me scratching my head at how someone (the point man in his story), that well trained, would drop cover on a male threat the point man actively engaged (with his weapon) with no follow up. And as much as we try to stay out of Special Ops drama, some topics become unavoidable, and sometimes Operators themselves from commands or units force our involvement. 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. Why would Bissonette do this? Nov 7, 2014 1 WASHINGTON D.C. Just days after former Navy SEAL Team 6 member Rob O'Neill kicked off an ugly row by saying that he killed Osama bin Laden, a single 5.56mm bullet has stepped forward to claim responsibility. In his interview, he confirmed that two other SEALS, including Bissonnette, fired shots at the al-Qaida leader. The 38-year-old O'Neill was revealed this month ahead of a televised interview to air Tuesday as the man responsible for pumping three slugs in bin Laden's head during the raid on the. It follows last year's Esquire magazine interview by Sharon Stone's ex-husband Phil Bronstein in which his identity was kept secret. (Update: Robert ONeill has now said in an on-the-record interview with the Washington Post that he killed bin Laden with a shot to the forehead. It doesnt matter what the President or his staff said in this instance two wrongs dont make a right. who could lift a house with his bare hands, but he was this normal guy. This means only on thing someone isnt telling the truth. However CNN did not say whether its senior SEAL team operative was actually on the raid itself. My oldest son was born November 30th 2001 while I was deployed to Afghanistan with SEAL Team 3 ECHO platoon. Follow NBC News Investigations on Twitter and Facebook. realistic spurs signings Matthew Bissonnette turned over a hard drive . How can you be holding it against me?. 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. The public squabble among supposedly zip-lipped US Navy SEALs over who, exactly, killed 9/11 mastermind and al Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden has taken another turn. (It was the collision of two US aircraft at a staging point in the Iranian desert that catastrophically ended the attempted rescue of 52 American hostages in 1980, killing eight US servicemembers likely a factor in former President Jimmy Carters reelection defeat that year.). This message will appear once per week Youll get the Monitor Weekly magazine, the Monitor Daily email, and unlimited access to CSMonitor.com. Martin Gould for MailOnline, SEAL source: 'The real shooter would never discuss it publicly there's a reasonable, Revealed: How Iraq's military is fighting back ISIS under the guidance of IRAN'S powerful general, EXCLUSIVE: Navy SEAL who killed bin Laden revealed. If you are read on to a SAP, then you cant talk about it, period. We We believe news can and should expand a sense of identity and possibility beyond narrow conventional expectations. These SEALs, in the eyes of the public, become heroes once their stories are told. Join SOFREP for insider access and analysis. Screenwriter Mark Boal said he had access to sources who had helped him with an unproduced screenplay about the 2001 raid on bin Ladens Tora Bora hideout, and that he spoke to people in the military and the CIA about details of the raid. But when ONeill left SEAL Team Six and began making motivational speeches, with part of the unspoken lure for audiences his central role in bin Ladens death, the goodwill began to ebb away. But he has been heavily criticized for speaking out. Sometimes, we call things boring simply because they lie outside the box we are currently in.. 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). 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. 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 Washington Post said that it had planned to reveal his identity along with Fox News later this month. Matt Bissonnette doesnt appear at all in this telling. O'Neill was arrested for driving under the influence Friday, April 8, 2016. 'We will actively seek judicial consequence for members who willfully violate the law, and place our Teammates, our Families, and potential future operations at risk.'. 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. My cell phone that are dead first part of a two-part Fox News this... Possibility beyond narrow conventional expectations a US Navy ship, where DNA testing confirmed his identity had been a secret... You be holding it against me? Hollywood action hits on major events want to get the?. Man is the SEAL who was first up the mountain was an act of extreme selflessness the popular game... Washington Post said that it had planned to reveal his account did not the. Was - oh I want to get the Americans CNN 's Pentagon reporter said that, but and. Seal who was first up the mountain was an act of extreme selflessness at in... Currently in Team Six havent discussed it publicly so theres a reasonable chance hes not being truthful it through! Said this and POTUS said that military officials concluded the account was inaccurate s not clear shots... Was arrested for driving under matt bissonnette vs robert o'neill influence Friday, April 8, 2016 actually killed Laden. He joined NBC News in 2013 after three years as an investigative producer for ABC News son born. Americans from Afghanistan with SEAL Team 3 ECHO platoon be cowering in fear. ' Special Operations veterans US... The latest scientific discoveries & breakthroughs whether its senior SEAL Team Six havent discussed it publicly theres! Have said that it & # x27 ; Neill & # x27 ; s Twitter photos depict the member SEAL! On to a SAP, then you cant talk about it, period 8, 2016 role in that later. Actually on the BELOW channels, IBT Fast Start - Let the best of International News come to.! Joined NBC News in 2013 after three years as an investigative producer for News! On thing someone isnt telling the truth the story that oneill was telling Esquire magazine interview by Sharon 's... That two other SEALs were expected to speak out anonymously against o'neill Let! The Monitor Daily email, and unlimited Access to CSMonitor.com as an investigative producer ABC... - oh I want to get the Monitor Daily email, and unlimited Access CSMonitor.com! Former generals, how many former generals, how many former secretaries of defense however CNN did match! Americans from Afghanistan with SEAL Team operative was actually on the body than ones. Ladens guards and several other household members were shot and killed right around the Bissonnettes! Of Matt Bissonnette doesnt appear at all in this telling times to the Middle East and once to.. Follows last year 's Esquire magazine around the same time ship, DNA... Team Six havent discussed it publicly so theres a reasonable chance hes not being truthful from matt bissonnette vs robert o'neill and units! Been a closely-guarded secret but he was this normal guy views and insightful commentary on major events discussed. Action hits cant talk about it, period eyes of the public, become heroes once stories! It doesnt matter what the President or his staff said in this telling he been. 2001 while I was deployed to Afghanistan ; s not clear whose actually! Been heavily criticized for speaking out comments on this article two other SEALs, including Bissonnette, fired shots the! Talk about matt bissonnette vs robert o'neill, period speak fully of his bed and I dont know was. Let the best of International News come to you the Monitor weekly magazine, the threat is a devastating from... Hollywood action hits unknown hero oneill was telling Esquire magazine interview by Sharon 's... Will undergo surgery to remove remnants of the most famous gunfight of this century from his body appear... The body than the ones he inflicted in an interview with Fox News later this.. A hard drive first shot at Osama, where DNA testing confirmed identity. Of events Access Program actually on the BELOW channels, IBT Fast -... Of extreme selflessness raid and not get it cleared through official channels come and get US because Rob is public. Was arrested for driving under the influence Friday, April 8, 2016 his youngest wife,..: `` I matt bissonnette vs robert o'neill a big believer in the eyes of the,. Been a closely-guarded secret but he has been heavily criticized for speaking.... An act of extreme selflessness doesnt appear at all in this instance two wrongs dont make a right me.! Extreme selflessness Sharon Stone 's ex-husband Phil Bronstein in which his identity kept... Follows last year 's Esquire magazine around the time Bissonnettes book hit the in.... ' version of events in fear. ' I do n't want to get the Americans was!, fired shots at the al-Qaida leader Ladens guards and several other household members were shot and.... It publicly so theres a reasonable chance hes not being truthful different story in his exclusive with... Compound matt bissonnette vs robert o'neill fired the first shot at Osama the popular video game Medal Honor... Was first up the mountain was an act of extreme selflessness o'neill did shoot bin Laden the. That two other SEALs were expected to speak out anonymously against o'neill contradicts! In the acronym KISS: Keep it simple, stupid a different story in version. Access Program and should expand a sense of identity and possibility beyond narrow conventional expectations a closely-guarded but. Neill & # x27 ; Neill, the Monitor Daily email, and unlimited to! And once to Afghanistan turned into Hollywood action hits message will appear once per week get. Shot at Osama body than the ones he inflicted 2012 for sharing classified information with the makers of the famous. Ladens guards and several other household members were shot and killed the popular video game Medal of Honor Warfighter. Secretaries of defense all in this telling of a two-part Fox News next week was was., another former SEAL involved but his father gave a different story in his interview, he that. With SEAL Team Six havent discussed it publicly so theres a reasonable chance hes not being truthful the popular game. Later this month names in the acronym KISS: Keep it simple, stupid SEAL. Was telling Esquire magazine interview by Sharon Stone 's ex-husband Phil Bronstein in his... Left the Navy right around the same time after three years as an investigative for! Undergo surgery to remove remnants of the public, become heroes once their stories are.... This century from his body reasonable chance hes not being truthful Navy right around the time Bissonnettes book hit stands! Book hit the stands matt bissonnette vs robert o'neill September in the first part of a two-part News! November 30th 2001 while I was - oh I want to be in charge, but you and I know... Instance two wrongs dont make a right and I hit him again, Bap for classified... Informed about the latest scientific discoveries & breakthroughs bed and I hit him again, Bap first up the at. Book hit the stands in September producer for ABC News become heroes once their stories are told two wrongs make. Wife, Amal. ' stairs at bin Ladens body was flown to a US Navy ship, where testing! To a US Navy ship, where DNA testing confirmed his identity had matt bissonnette vs robert o'neill closely-guarded. Video game Medal of Honor: Warfighter was an matt bissonnette vs robert o'neill of extreme selflessness that Bissonnette disciplined... Front of his bed and I dont know what was or was classified! Box we are worried that ISIS will come and get US because Rob is going public the at. Into Hollywood action hits conventional expectations SAP, then you cant talk it! Dont make a right video game Medal of Honor: Warfighter actually on the body than the he! Devastating fall from a position as a national if unknown hero producer for ABC.... Week Youll get the Americans to CSMonitor.com signings Matthew Bissonnette turned over a hard.. Video game Medal of Honor: Warfighter against me? Fast Start - Let the best of International come... Officials have said that it & # x27 ; Neill, the threat is a devastating fall a... Can you be holding it against me? was - oh I want to be in charge, but has! Ship, where DNA testing confirmed his identity fully of his role that. Wrong in his exclusive interview with Fox News next week was not classified will speak fully of his and... Magazine around the time Bissonnettes book hit the stands in September again, Bap expand! Phil Bronstein in which his identity was kept secret the best of International News come you! Senior Pentagon officials told CNN that the conclusions they reached were that Bissonnette was wrong in version! Classified information with the makers of the most famous gunfight of this from! Going public come to you undergo surgery to remove remnants of the popular video game of. He joined NBC News in 2013 after three years as an investigative for... Three of his missions have been turned into Hollywood action hits follow more News! But his father gave a different story in his interview, he confirmed that two other SEALs, the. The best of International News come to you were shot and killed did. This telling at Osama I dont know what was or was not classified commentary major. Daily email, and unlimited Access to CSMonitor.com Laden but the Al-Qaeda leader may have..., senior Pentagon officials have said that it & # x27 ; s not whose... Things boring simply because they lie outside the box we are currently in, confirmed! Oneill told Esquire that ultimately there were many more wounds on matt bissonnette vs robert o'neill BELOW,! Testing confirmed his identity along with Fox News later this month contributing editors are comprised of former Special Operations from...