U.S. Navy SEAL who killed Bin Laden waives his right to anonymity

The former Navy SEAL who shot and killed Osama bin Laden has waived his right to anonymity. He has been identified as Rob O’Neill (pictured). The revelation on Daily Mail Online came ahead of a Fox News interview in which O’Neill is expected to discuss the May 2011 raid in Abbottabad, Pakistan, where the terror mastermind was killed. The website described O’Neill, 38, as a veteran Navy SEAL who had concluded several tours of duty, including in Afghanistan and Iraq. He earned two Silver Stars and four Bronze Stars with combat “V” among other decorations, the report said. He left the service after 16 years. His decision to come out as the killer of bin Laden was made in part because he lost some military benefits, having left the SEALs before a full 20 years of service, according to the report.

I’ll paint a big target on my front door and say come and get us.

Rob O’Neill’s father, Tom, on the threat from the Islamic State

He did so fully aware of the risks he faced. “People are asking if we are worried that ISIS will come and get us because Rob is going public,” said his father Tom. O’Neill had already spoken to Esquire magazine last year, but his identity had not been revealed and he had been identified only as “The Shooter”. In that interview, he said he had joined the Navy at age 19 following heartbreak. He described the top secret lead-up to the raid, his training and finally the mission. U.S. Navy SEALs, both active duty and retired, possess highly sensitive information about tactics and techniques that are central to the success of their secret and often dangerous missions overseas. That is why they are obliged to sign nondisclosure agreements when they enter service and when they leave.

I’m not religious, but I always felt I was put on the Earth to do something specific. After that mission, I knew what it was.

Rob O’Neill

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