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Navy SEAL Who Wrote bin Laden Book Identified

Pentagon officials confirm Fox News report

By John Johnson,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 23, 2012 5:01 PM CDT

(Newser) – The former Navy SEAL who wrote a firsthand account of the Osama bin Laden raid did so under a pseudonym and was supposed to remain anonymous for safety reasons. That lasted less than a day: Military officials have confirmed that the author is 36-year-old Alaska native Matt Bissonnette, reports the New York Times. The development came after Fox News first reported his identity this afternoon.

Some reaction:

  • Daily Intel wonders whether Fox would have been outraged had a mainstream source ID'd the author. "Of course, if this particular Navy SEAL was super concerned about maintaining his privacy, he probably wouldn't have written a blockbuster book about the most famous special forces operation in American history."
  • Politico blogger Dylan Byers understands the intent for anonymity, "but if you write a book about killing Osama bin Laden, the America public is going to want to know your name."

This book cover image released by Dutton shows No Easy Day: The Firsthand Account of the Mission that Killed Osama Bin Laden, by Mark Owen (pseudonym) with Kevin Maurer.
This book cover image released by Dutton shows "No Easy Day: The Firsthand Account of the Mission that Killed Osama Bin Laden," by Mark Owen (pseudonym) with Kevin Maurer.   (AP Photo/Dutton)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 34 comments
augie2
Aug 25, 2012 12:37 AM CDT
SEALs rarely if ever discuss operations or awards openly.  This is surprising.  
CentristIntelligence
Aug 24, 2012 2:32 AM CDT
So i guess this guy is going to get bradley manning'ed then.
HORSEMANIII
Aug 24, 2012 12:47 AM CDT
I'll buy the book asap !
 

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