The identity of the man who shot the mastermind behind one of the most infamous terrorist acts in history has been revealed.
Rob O’Neill is the Navy SEAL who killed Osama Bin Laden at his Abbottabad compound in north-eastern Pakistan in May 2011.
Until now, the 38-year-old has not revealed his true identity, despite meeting President Barack Obama and being the inspiration for three Hollywood films.
However, Mr O’Neill – who recently quit the elite service – has been outed as the man responsible for the killing. He has only spoken about his role once before, in an interview with a magazine, where he was referred to as “The Shooter”.
Now the soldier-turned-motivational speaker has agreed to give an interview to a US television channel in which he will talk about his part in the events.
Mr O’Neill says his decision to speak out was prompted by the loss of some of his military benefits after quitting the service after 16 years instead of staying for a full 20 years.
But the dad-of-three has come under fire from some in the military for potentially breaking the Navy SEAL “code of silence”.
In a letter to Navy SEALs past and present, Rear Admiral Brian Losey, commander of the Naval Special Warfare Command (NSWC), and Force Master Chief Michael Magaraci said: “We do not abide willful or selfish disregard for our core values in return for public notoriety and financial gain, which only diminishes otherwise honourable service, courage and sacrifice.”
Mr O’Neill has been decorated 52 times including two Silver Stars – the US military’s third highest honour – as well as four Bronze Stars with Valour.