Davey1965's Blogs

After 16 years Service The Navy Seal Who Shot Bin Laden Tells how he payed a Mental and Physical price with the fear of a Reprisal towards his Family

Davey1965 Blog Last Activity 11 years ago 657 views 8 comments
The US Navy Seal who claims to have killed Osama bin Laden has described shooting him in the head and how he is now a civilian struggling to survive.

In a 15,000 word piece published in Esquire magazine, the soldier describes his jubilation but also the personal cost he has since suffered.

''I shot him, two times in the forehead. Bap! Bap! The second time as he's going down. He crumpled on to the floor in front of his bed and I hit him again, Bap! same place.''

The man was part of Seal Team Six, which was tasked with flying into Pakistan and killing the al Qaeda leader at his hideout nearly two years ago. He told the magazine he was the only one to shoot bin Laden. He entered bin Laden's third-storey bedroom and saw the terror chief move across the room, while holding on to one of his wives, towards an AK47 rifle.

"He looked confused. And way taller than I was expecting... he was holding her in front of him. Maybe as a shield, I don't know. For me, it was a snapshot of a target ID, definitely him... that's him, boom, done.

"I thought in that first instant how skinny he was, how tall and how short his beard was, all at once. He was wearing one of those white hats, but he had, like, an almost shaved head. Like a crew cut. I remember all that registering.

"In that second, I shot him, two times in the forehead. Bap! Bap! The second time as he's going down. He crumpled on to the floor in front of his bed and I hit him again, Bap! same place.

''He was dead. Not moving. His tongue was out. I watched him take his last breaths, just a reflex breath."

It was over in 15 seconds. He said most of the team thought they would die on the mission and had written farewell letters to their families.

The interview goes on to reveal the mental and physical price the man has since paid.

He was offered a place on witness protection, his job: delivering beer. He turned it down because he didn't want to lose contact with family and friends.

He had taken part in the interview because after 16 years' service he had no pension or health care. Only those with 20 years' service got the benefits.The soldier also talked about teaching his children to hide in the bath and his wife to use a shotgun out of fear of reprisal.

"He gave so much to his country, and now it seems he's left in the dust," his wife says.

"I feel there's no support, not just for my family but for other families in the community. I honestly have nobody I can go to or talk to. Nor do I feel my husband has gotten much for what he's accomplished in his career,"

Comments

You must be logged in to post comments, please login or signup (free)
11 years ago

I looked this story up on line and pretty much come to the conclusion that it is false. First off I do not believe or trust any article with "unnmamed sources" or information that can't be verified. Secondly, Navy Seals are trained professionals who would never, ever do anything contrary to the good of the country, or the Navy. I served in the US Navy for 23 years and met and worked with many of them. They are an elite group of people, to say dedicated is an understatement. The whole witness protection thing does not add up. With his training and background, there are many jobs out of the public eye that he would have been offered. This story just does not pass the "smell test". Let's face it, it would'nt be the first time a reporter fabricated a story.

Davey1965
11 years ago

Interesting John . Maybe they gave him no choice and he had to resign with no other obtions.
I notice both you and Nate say theres alot more to this story and i agree.
Veterans have my full respect and Happy Valentines to you all xo

swiftjohn
11 years ago

I think that there is more to this story than what we are being told. You don't get out of the service with only four years to go until retirement unless you fucked up big time. It could have been the military equivalent of "resign or be fired". Being a military veteran myself, I tend to think he may have committed a major security violation where the choice was to either go away or face the embarrassment to both him and the military of prosecution. It doesn't look good to Courts Martial our heros. But that's my guess based upon my knowledge of how things work in the military.

nate88
11 years ago

I agree with Most of what has been said, so far. Military personnel who conduct any type of 'covert' operation as part of the placement usually have to sign a confidentiality statement. Not just Navy Seals. I KNOW THIS FOR A FACT. Everyone has a breaking point and don't judge unless you have stood in those boots before. There are things I've done that I have never shared with anyone nor ever will. Seals are given opportunity to request to be removed from special operations - He could have taught new seals, or worked in operations/prep. MANY non-combat roles we available for him. If he suffered from mental stress, he could have received active duty treatment and possibly received a Medical Disability Discharge. There is a lot more to the story that we don't know or is not being told. I PERSONALLY do not believe the ENTIRE story as it was published - just too much that doesn't wash.
Andy (USMC-D.R.)

Davey1965
11 years ago

Great points Tommy. Maybe after he Shot Bin Ladin he got an Ultimatum from his wife.
You leave now or ill leave you. Year Pity he was just 4 yrs short of 20 so i understand the
pension and Heath cover thing. I think tho if the Military or Govt had supported him as
they should have, he would have not gone to the Media.

11 years ago

This is a tough 1. First, he did not complete the required 20 years for retirement. He volunteered for the Seals, he was not forced. He did not meet the requirement for pension, therefore, he is not eligable. Why did he leave the Military, especially after 16 years? He could have left the Seals for another rating (different job). Before he became a Seal, he had to pass a certain "A" school to become eligable for Seal training. He could have returned to that, or chosen a different rating. Why he did not, I don't know. I am sure he was offered counseling after the mission. Did he take it? IDK. There are many factors we do not know. That having been said, I applaud him for his bravery, his service and his patriotism. Yes, more needs to be done to help not only those who have served Honorably, but those who continue to Serve. Most enlisted men with famalies live at a level that makes them eligable for Food Stamps. Our VA Hospitals are under funded and understaffed. I have written letters to John Mcain, John Kerry and many others voicing my concerns about this, always with the same response, they care, they will look into it, etc. Nothing ever happens. It is sad that in this country (USA) illegal aliens get more benifits than natural citizens and Vets.

Davey1965
11 years ago

Sounds like he went to the Media out of Desperation because how hes being treated.I cant belieave they Offered an Ex- Navy Seal ,Witness protection but only had a Job delivering Beer for him. All that training and 16 years experience going to waste.

guynflint
11 years ago

why on earth would he or anyone who pulled the trigger admit this in public? and shame on our military minds for allowing this info to get out! i can't believe all the hype that has has gone on about this event.. it's kinda sickening to me the way it has been used to prop up other people and agendas rather than treat it as what it is..was..
my thoughts and prayers go out to this fine man and his poor family. no one should ever have to live this way