SEAL Book Raises Questions About Bin Laden's Death
DS1119
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http://apnews.excite.com/article/201208 ... RU6G1.html
By KIMBERLY DOZIER
(AP) This book cover image released by Dutton shows "No Easy Day: The Firsthand Account of the Mission...
Full Image
WASHINGTON (AP) - A firsthand account of the Navy SEAL raid that killed Osama bin Laden contradicts previous accounts by administration officials, raising questions as to whether the terror mastermind presented a clear threat when SEALs first fired upon him.
Bin Laden apparently was hit in the head when he looked out of his bedroom door into the top-floor hallway of his compound as SEALs rushed up a narrow stairwell in his direction, according to former Navy SEAL Matt Bissonnette, writing under the pseudonym Mark Owen in "No Easy Day." The book is to be published next week by Penguin Group (USA)'s Dutton imprint.
Bissonnette says he was directly behind a "point man" going up the stairs. "Less than five steps" from top of the stairs, he heard "suppressed" gunfire: "BOP. BOP." The point man had seen a "man peeking out of the door" on the right side of the hallway.
The author writes that bin Laden ducked back into his bedroom and the SEALs followed, only to find the terrorist crumpled on the floor in a pool of blood with a hole visible on the right side of his head and two women wailing over his body.
Bissonnette says the point man pulled the two women out of the way and shoved them into a corner and he and the other SEALs trained their guns' laser sites on bin Laden's still-twitching body, shooting him several times until he lay motionless. The SEALs later found two weapons stored by the doorway, untouched, the author said.
In the account related by administration officials after the raid in Pakistan, the SEALs shot bin Laden only after he ducked back into the bedroom because they assumed he might be reaching for a weapon.
White House spokesman Tommy Vietor would not comment on the apparent contradiction late Tuesday.
"No Easy Day" was due out Sept. 11, but Dutton announced the book would be available a week early, Sept. 4, because of a surge of orders due to advance publicity that drove the book to the top of the Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.com best-seller lists.
The Associated Press purchased a copy of the book Tuesday.
In another possibly uncomfortable revelation for U.S. officials who say bin Laden's body was treated with dignity before being given a full Muslim burial at sea, the author reveals that in the cramped helicopter flight out of the compound, one of the SEALs called "Walt" was sitting on bin Laden's chest as the body lay at the author's feet in the middle of the cabin.
The publisher says the author used pseudonyms for all the SEALs.
Bissonnette also writes disparagingly that none of the SEALs were fans of President Barack Obama and knew that his administration would take credit for ordering the May 2011 raid. One of the SEALs said after the mission that they had just gotten Obama re-elected by carrying out the raid.
But he says they respected him as commander in chief and for giving the operation the go-ahead.
Bissonnette writes less flatteringly of meeting Vice President Joe Biden along with Obama at the headquarters of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment after the raid. He says Biden told "lame jokes" no one understood, reminding him of "someone's drunken uncle at Christmas dinner."
Beyond such embarrassing observations, U.S. officials fear the book may include classified information, as it did not undergo the formal review required by the Pentagon for works published by former or current Defense Department employees.
Officials from the Pentagon and the CIA, which commanded the mission, are examining the manuscript for possible disclosure of classified information and could take legal action against the author.
In a statement provided to The Associated Press, the author says he did "not disclose confidential or sensitive information that would compromise national security in any way."
Bissonnette's real name was first revealed by Fox News and confirmed to The Associated Press.
Jihadists on al-Qaida websites have posted purported photos of the author, calling for his murder.
By KIMBERLY DOZIER
(AP) This book cover image released by Dutton shows "No Easy Day: The Firsthand Account of the Mission...
Full Image
WASHINGTON (AP) - A firsthand account of the Navy SEAL raid that killed Osama bin Laden contradicts previous accounts by administration officials, raising questions as to whether the terror mastermind presented a clear threat when SEALs first fired upon him.
Bin Laden apparently was hit in the head when he looked out of his bedroom door into the top-floor hallway of his compound as SEALs rushed up a narrow stairwell in his direction, according to former Navy SEAL Matt Bissonnette, writing under the pseudonym Mark Owen in "No Easy Day." The book is to be published next week by Penguin Group (USA)'s Dutton imprint.
Bissonnette says he was directly behind a "point man" going up the stairs. "Less than five steps" from top of the stairs, he heard "suppressed" gunfire: "BOP. BOP." The point man had seen a "man peeking out of the door" on the right side of the hallway.
The author writes that bin Laden ducked back into his bedroom and the SEALs followed, only to find the terrorist crumpled on the floor in a pool of blood with a hole visible on the right side of his head and two women wailing over his body.
Bissonnette says the point man pulled the two women out of the way and shoved them into a corner and he and the other SEALs trained their guns' laser sites on bin Laden's still-twitching body, shooting him several times until he lay motionless. The SEALs later found two weapons stored by the doorway, untouched, the author said.
In the account related by administration officials after the raid in Pakistan, the SEALs shot bin Laden only after he ducked back into the bedroom because they assumed he might be reaching for a weapon.
White House spokesman Tommy Vietor would not comment on the apparent contradiction late Tuesday.
"No Easy Day" was due out Sept. 11, but Dutton announced the book would be available a week early, Sept. 4, because of a surge of orders due to advance publicity that drove the book to the top of the Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.com best-seller lists.
The Associated Press purchased a copy of the book Tuesday.
In another possibly uncomfortable revelation for U.S. officials who say bin Laden's body was treated with dignity before being given a full Muslim burial at sea, the author reveals that in the cramped helicopter flight out of the compound, one of the SEALs called "Walt" was sitting on bin Laden's chest as the body lay at the author's feet in the middle of the cabin.
The publisher says the author used pseudonyms for all the SEALs.
Bissonnette also writes disparagingly that none of the SEALs were fans of President Barack Obama and knew that his administration would take credit for ordering the May 2011 raid. One of the SEALs said after the mission that they had just gotten Obama re-elected by carrying out the raid.
But he says they respected him as commander in chief and for giving the operation the go-ahead.
Bissonnette writes less flatteringly of meeting Vice President Joe Biden along with Obama at the headquarters of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment after the raid. He says Biden told "lame jokes" no one understood, reminding him of "someone's drunken uncle at Christmas dinner."
Beyond such embarrassing observations, U.S. officials fear the book may include classified information, as it did not undergo the formal review required by the Pentagon for works published by former or current Defense Department employees.
Officials from the Pentagon and the CIA, which commanded the mission, are examining the manuscript for possible disclosure of classified information and could take legal action against the author.
In a statement provided to The Associated Press, the author says he did "not disclose confidential or sensitive information that would compromise national security in any way."
Bissonnette's real name was first revealed by Fox News and confirmed to The Associated Press.
Jihadists on al-Qaida websites have posted purported photos of the author, calling for his murder.
Post edited by Unknown User on
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Comments
What do you mean?
I'm assuming he means suicide vs shot by SEALS. Does it matter?
was like a picture
of a sunny day
“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.”
― Abraham Lincoln
If it didn't matter why does his account differ than what was told to us? SOmeone's right and someone's wrong with their stories. WHere are you getting suicide from?
Who cares if he was shot sticking his head out or after they were in the room. Does it matter?
I'm just happy he is gone.
"The author writes that bin Laden ducked back into his bedroom and the SEALs followed, only to find the terrorist crumpled on the floor in a pool of blood with a hole visible on the right side of his head and two women wailing over his body."
I read it as he duck away and they found him with a gunshot to the side of his head like he killed himself. Maybe I read that wrong (and interpreted Cincy's statement wrong).
I'm sure if you talked to each SEAL member who was there (and their superiors that they de-briefed), you'd probably get slightly different accounts. I just don't see the point in arguing about minuscule details.
was like a picture
of a sunny day
“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.”
― Abraham Lincoln
I'm just wondering why we were fed a different story if it doesn't matter? I mean this administration put out all these computer graphics of how the killing went down and it totally differs from this Seal's first hand account.
The author says he didn't put out any classified or sensitive information.
The whole mission is classified. Haven't we been on Obama's butt for allegedly having his admin give insight of the mission to Hollywood?
Apparently Obama's recollection of the mission may not be what really happened.
I think the part that rules out suicide is:
The SEALs later found two weapons stored by the doorway, untouched, the author said.
Wouldn't the weapon have been right next to him if he offed himself?
Typo Man: "Thanks kidz, but remembir, stay in skool!"
Great work, Seal Team Six... you made the right call.
Hail, Hail!!!
I fully support this post.
So, are you trying to politicize the raid? Because, it sure sounds like it.
...
As for the author... members of elite military operations like to remain anonymous. They do so out of necessity. If their identity is known, then they place their family members at risk of being taken hostage in order to extract information about strategic and tactical operations, other team member identities, mission specifics, etc...
Hail, Hail!!!
i know that from my job...and its the right thing to do.....public no need to know real or all the facts how team acted..
"..That's One Happy Fuckin Ghost.."
“..That came up on the Pillow Case...This is for the Greek, With Our Apologies.....”
Details always have to be cleaned up a little bit, and you know it. But putting a political spin on it and taking a few shots at Obama is more fun.
Just think how each of these versions play diplomatically:
1) Bin Laden was killed in a fierce gun fight in his compound while trying to capture him. His body was handled and buried according to Islamic law.
2) An unarmed Bin Laden was assasinated in the middle of the night during a raid in his compound. Navy SEALS tossed his body in a helicopter and made jokes about him.
Which do you think plays better on the streets in the middle east?
was like a picture
of a sunny day
“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.”
― Abraham Lincoln
Answer: Politics.
...
Advice: Don't play into the hands of the people trying to mold your mind towards their way of thinking. Think for yourself.
Hail, Hail!!!
Why did this guy write this book? Because he wanted us to be informed or get it off his shoulders? I doubt it. He wanted to make $money$ probably. ANd if he rehashes the same story we already know, how many will buy the book? Or if he tells us there's some controversy and the govt isnt being truthful and its pasted all over the internet and TV, how many more will buy the book to see this "new and controversial stuff"?
Mu guess is we'll never know what happened, and this author may or may not have even been there. In fact, im surprised the govt didnt make these SEALS guarantee they stay quiet.
so do you think the book is bullshit ? I just skimmed thru the post's I apologize if I missed that, but you make a good point here..maybe the guy is a NS but had nothing to do with the bin laden hit ?
Godfather.
I have to respectfully disagree with this statement. One of my best friends (known him over 20 years and stood up in his wedding) is involved with this stuff. He's currently in Turkey. No matter how drunk we get him he never discloses exactly what he does...only we know he's in the Navy. Frustrating but funny at the same time. :fp:
Bingo! We will never know the truth.
...
All personel that close to a classified tactical mission are de-briefed after the mission. They are told what that can and cannot disclose. This goes beyond their years of active service. We have not idea what th parameters of that de-brief encompasses. Best we can do is speculate... in others words... guess.
Hail, Hail!!!
never will know the real facts..and again,is the right thing to do..
"..That's One Happy Fuckin Ghost.."
“..That came up on the Pillow Case...This is for the Greek, With Our Apologies.....”
I'm guessing what the author wrote is what actually happened.
I am saying, my friend, that I don't know.
I do know a bit about military protocol and such and it is a risky move for some one assigned to what was basically an assasination mission to reveal himself. Maybe, his parents are dead, he was an only child and is unmarried with no kids... okay. But, he is still a member of a team and has information about his team mates in his head that may be of use to someone looking to avenge the death of Bin Laden.
There's a reason why the military picks certain individuals as candidates for these types of operations... so they don't go off the ranch and endanger the lives of their team mates and/or their families.
Hail, Hail!!!
Which, by your own account, is a guess. Something that has not validity, fact or truth... right? Because that is what a guess is... a guess.
Hail, Hail!!!