Business Insider: Fox News Outs The Navy SEAL Who Wrote An Anonymous Book On The Bin Laden Raid

[Heisenberg]

Fox News obtained and released the identity of the author of the controversial new book "No Easy Day: The Firsthand Account of the Mission That Killed Osama Bin Laden," due to come out on the anniversary of 9/11.

"Mark Owen," the pseudonym under which the book was written, is actually 35 year-old Matt Bissonnette of Wrangell, Alaska. Bissonnette held the rank of chief in the elite Navy SEAL Team 6 prior to retiring. He was one of the first men in the room where Osama died, witnessing the occurrence first hand.

Bissonnette was also part of the operation which ended with the killing of three Somali pirates in order to save the life of Captain Richard Phillips in the Indian Ocean in 2009.

He co-wrote the book with author Kevin Maurer, a well versed author of four books, most based on military special operations.

Bissonnette wrote in the book that he wants to "set the record straight" about the bin Laden raid. One can only assume he means in terms of Obama "taking credit."

The Pentagon has not reviewed the book, leaving Bissonnette open for charges if he's disclosed anything sensitive. It's common practice for authors with security clearances to allow the military a review of their books before publishing.

The US Navy has said it will leave any investigation into possible charges up to the department of justice.

http://www.businessinsider.com/matt-...ell-all-2012-8

[Jumbo]

One can only assume he means in terms of Obama "taking credit."

Oh, but of course one can only assume that---at least they put "taking credit" in quotes.

[jnhay]

Oh, but of course one can only assume that---at least they put "taking credit" in quotes.

You're right. That's such a crazy stretch. He wrote an entire book about a top secret raid and the only thing he could mean by "setting the record straight" is "Obama didn't do ****!"

It's so funny how these guys were said to be heroes, and they can't even request to remain anonymous. Oh, we have so much respect for you! We owe you so much brave soldier! What's that? You wrote a book and don't want to use your real name! **** off!

[Destino]

Oh, but of course one can only assume that---at least they put "taking credit" in quotes.

It would be easier to pretend the press wasn't an extension of political parties if they were more creative in using (and disguising) the talking points.

[skinsfan_1215]

So they revealed the identity of the super secret special ops guy that helped kill OBL and probably personally killed hundreds of terrorists over the past decade. Awesome. Great show of common sense there Fox.

[Ellis]

So they revealed the identity of the super secret special ops guy that helped kill OBL and probably personally killed hundreds of terrorists over the past decade. Awesome. Great show of common sense there Fox.

Yeah, but now that his name is out, FOX can have him come on as a guest which will boost ratings. They'll offer him money to come on the show. Subsequently, they'll make a **** ton of money on advertising that hour he's expected to appear, the profits of which would far outweigh any fines they may receive from outing him.

FOX News: fair and balanced. Hollaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

[AsburySkinsFan]

So they revealed the identity of the super secret special ops guy that helped kill OBL and probably personally killed hundreds of terrorists over the past decade. Awesome. Great show of common sense there Fox.

Valarie Plame all over again.....heroes I say.

[The Evil Genius]

I smell 15 minutes of Joe the Plumber fame for this guy. Followed by a TP sponsored run in a few years.

[Larry]

Granted, Fox isn't exactly clean, here, but . . . .

I think a case could be made that people with security clearances who write books about the classified things they did, have voluntarily surrendered some of their expectations of privacy.

[#BgMase76#]

Granted, Fox isn't exactly clean, here, but . . . .

I think a case could be made that people with security clearances who write books about the classified things they did, have voluntarily surrendered some of their expectations of privacy.

You're dead on. I held a security clearance in the military and prior to leaving I had to sign security forms and sign disclosures. I find it ironic that this guy thought he could write a book about something so well known w/ limited involvement and not be fingered. The petty argument that Obama took credit for the OBL kill is soooo partisan. It's no different than any other part of life. If a company booms the CEO gets the credit. If it tanks he takes the hit. Had the operation been a bust Obama would've been lambasted. The Prez made the call and its his winfall. If this SEAL feels like he isn't getting his shine then clearly he had the wrong profession.

[LadySkinsFan]

If the Commander in Chief gives the order to kill Bin Laden, then the CIC gets the credit. No one else can give that order.

[skinsmarydu]

If the Commander in Chief gives the order to kill Bin Laden, then the CIC gets the credit. No one else can give that order.

Hey, girl, you got that right!

[Popeman38]

It's common practice for authors with security clearances to allow the military a review of their books before publishing.

It isn't a common practice, it the LAW.

[Burgold]

It isn't a common practice, it the LAW.

It's very possible that the author did clear it but still wanted use a psuedonym to protect himself and his family from reprisals. FOX's outing is not really cool on most levels.

[Popeman38]

It's very possible that the author did clear it but still wanted use a psuedonym to protect himself and his family from reprisals. FOX's outing is not really cool on most levels.

There is zippy chance a prepub review of the events around OBL's death would be cleared this soon after the events. Normally, special operations folks are allowed to sail off into the sunset of retirement before their exploits are revealed. Very rarely does one get cleared a year after an event.