A lengthy article in the March issue of Esquire magazine told the story of the saga of the Navy SEAL who claimed to have shot most-wanted terrorist mastermind Osama bin Laden to death in that May 2, 2011, operation in Abbottabad, Pakistan. The member of famed SEAL Team 6, in the article penned by Phil Bronstein, executive chair of the Berkeley, Calif.-based Center for Investigative Reporting (and ex-husband of actress Sharon Stone), went on to complain about his shoddy treatment by the Navy and struggles to keep his family and finances, as well as his health, in order after deciding to toss aside his 16 years of military service.
That latter decision raised many eyebrows and doubts in the military community, particularly among other sailors and service members keenly aware that exiting the service short of 20 years more likely will mean no lifetime pension and associated accompanying benefits. And many post-9/11 combat veterans, in particular, note the five years of health care guaranteed to them regardless of when they separate.
The so-called “Shooter’s” story, of firing the fatal rounds into bin Laden’s head before the al-Qaida leader could grab a weapon, also raised some questions about its truthfulness — from other SEALs and special operations forces. It seemed that his story conflicted with that of another SEAL Team 6 member on that same mission — the SEAL known as “Mark Owen” who authored a memoir, No Easy Day, published last fall.
Now another former SEAL, blogger and author Brandon Webb, supports Owen’s assertion that it was the “point man,” the first SEAL to reach bin Laden’s third-floor bedroom, who fired the fatal shots into the terrorist’s head. Not the so-called “Shooter,” who followed the point man up the stairway ahead of Owen.
In a March 25 blog post on SOFREP, an online website catering to the U.S. and British spec-ops community, Webb aims to clarify just what the “Shooter” did on that mission but contends the SEAL did not fire the fatal shots that killed bin Laden. “The actual shooter at Naval Special Warfare Development Group (NSW DEVGRU or SEAL Team 6) has continued to maintain his professional integrity and has not come forward with the story, and most likely never will.”
Moreover, states Webb, the so-called “Shooter” was “removed from his DEVGRU Squadron for talking about the operation openly after being warned to ‘can it.’ He was encouraged by leadership to remain in the SEAL community to finish out his career and gain his full retirement benefits. Apparently against his concerns about personal security he has been very active on the public speaking circuit.” He goes on to question the SEALs’ tactics as described by the shooter in the Esquire interview, and quotes an unnamed SEAL assigned to super-secret Joint Special Operations Command, which is based at Fort Bragg, N.C., as calling the shooter/Esquire account of the killing of bin Laden as “complete bull shit.” The magazine on March 27 told CNN, which echoed Webb’s doubts, “We stand by our story.”
3 Comments
As a former intel operator for Force Recon, I don’t like to see my squids arguing. Keep your mouths shut and then tell your grandchildren 50 years from now the story. I know the money must be tempting, but don’t pick up that boobie trap. I trained in Dam Neck with my squids, I like you guys (seals), even bleed with some, but we are warriors so play that close to your chest. Semper Fi
P.S. to this website
Don”t even try to reply to the email I gave you. Also, your one x 4 should = all.
There are too many stories about “Who shot bin Laden.” If these guys are professional, they wouldn’t be chatting to the press, bragging in bars, making books and movies. They would, like Richard Big said, shut up for 50 years then tell their grandchildren.
But as even the video of the president and friends watching live action of the raid turned out to be made up, I wonder how much of this story-telling is designed to simply confuse the issue. It would have been an expensive war to have waged if bid Laden had actually died back in Tora Bora. Better to keep the chase going and get in a few more military equipment contracts in line for retirement. A lot better retirement than “the Shooter” will be getting.
Do not believe anything the media or this administration says about UBL. It was meant to reinforce the reelection, and it succeeded. You would be smarter if you did your own research, read as many books by men & women involved (not journalists trying to make a quick buck or name for themselves) and listen to informed people such as Mark Donald.
If the administration & the media know so much, how come we still do not know more about the 2 dead SEALs from Benghazi?
Pathetic leftists at best and Communists at worst