Matt Bissonnette (author)

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This article is about the Navy SEAL Matt Bissonnette. For other people with a similar name, see Matt Bissonnette (disambiguation).

Matt Bissonnette
Bissonnette during Northern Edge in 2001
Nickname(s)Mark Owen
Born (1976-03-17) March 17, 1976 (age 48)
Wrangell, Alaska, U.S.
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service/branchUnited States Navy
Years of service1998–2012
RankPetty Officer 3rd class (2001)
(Rating: Special Warfare Operator
Formerly: Torpedoman's Mate)
Unit
Known forWriting No Easy Day
Battles/wars
AwardsSilver Star
Alma materBiola University

Matt Bissonette (born March 17, 1976) is a former United States Navy SEAL and author of No Easy Day, a book which he wrote using the pen name Mark Owen. The book chronicles his life and military service, but mostly is about his involvement with Operation Neptune Spear. Bissonnette writes that he was present on the third floor of Osama bin Laden's compound in Abbottabad when the terrorist leader was killed.[1]

Military career[edit]

Bissonnette grew up hunting and fishing in the remote Alaskan town of Aniak. After graduating high school in 1994, he attended Biola University and earned his Bachelor's degree in Sociology in 1998. He then enlisted in the Navy, graduating with BUD/S class 226 as the Honor-man (top of the class) in 1999 and served with SEAL Team Five. During Bissonnette's first deployment 9/11 happened and he was among the first to be deployed in support of the GWOT. In 2004 he completed selection and training to enter the Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU) and participated in several operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.[2][3]

Bissonnette was involved in the Maersk Alabama hijacking rescue operation in 2009 and Operation Neptune Spear in 2011, both alongside DEVGRU teammate Robert J. O'Neill, who claims to have fired the shots that killed Bin Laden. Bissonnette claims in his book that an unnamed DEVGRU teammate actually fired the shots that killed Bin Laden, not O'Neill who claims that the unnamed teammate fired and missed.[4]

Some SEALs question whether it is possible to ever determine whose shots killed the terrorist leader.[4] Post retirement, both SEALs received criticism for their books and differences in their accounts of the events.[5] A DoD investigation revealed that Bissonnette and six other SEALs had served as consultants on the video game, Medal of Honor: Warfighter, at Bissonnette's urging. Letters of reprimand, which are damaging to Naval careers, were sent to all seven. The SEALs did not seek clearance with their superiors to be involved with the project and showed the developers some of their gear. At the end of his service, Bissonnette earned the title "Team Leader" and had conducted hundreds of missions throughout 13 combat deployments overseas.[6][7][2]

Post-military career[edit]

Almost a year after the Bin Laden mission, Bissonette left active duty and began writing No Easy Day with journalist Kevin Maurer. Bissonnette says the book accurately portrays the events of Operation Neptune Spear.[8][6] The book was published by Dutton Penguin and went on sale 4 September 2012. Bissonnette stated that most of the proceeds from the book will be donated to families of SEALs killed in action.[9]

Bissonnette and his publisher decided to release the book without first submitting it for a United States Department of Defense (DoD) review, which generated much controversy. The DoD claims the book contains classified information, which the book's publisher and Bissonnette deny. This ultimately led the publisher to release the book on 4 September, a week earlier than the originally planned 11 September release date.[10][11] It also placed on The New York Times Best Seller list.[9] A few months before coming to national attention, Bissonnette sold his family's Virginia Beach home and quietly left town.[3]

In 2014, Bissonnette published a follow-up, No Hero: The Evolution of a Navy SEAL, which was vetted by the DoD, but was still investigated by the government. The book does not address the controversy caused by the first book. Bissonnette says the government redacted a lot of it which he appealed, but was only able to clear about 50 percent of them.[12] In August 2016, Bissonnette settled a lawsuit and agreed to pay back his royalties of US$6.8 million to the US government.[13]

Bissonnette was interviewed twice on 60 Minutes, with the first interview receiving 12.32 million viewers. His appearance was disguised by skilled makeup artists so well that even his lawyer did not recognize him. His voice was also disguised. Bissonnette continues to hide his face and use the pseudonym "Mark Owen."[14][15] He is also an executive producer (credited as Mark Owen), starting in the second season of the television series SEAL Team.[2] Lead actor in SEAL Team David Boreanaz wears Bissonnette's actual military issue helmet and has promised to do so throughout the entire run of the show even though he could wear a lighter prop helmet.[16] Bissonnette continues to serve on the advisory board of the GWOT Memorial Foundation as well as advocating for transitioning veterans and helping raise money and awareness for multiple veteran-related charities.[2]

Awards and decorations[edit]

Bissonnette received more than 30 medals and awards according to a short biography from the Navy. Here are a few confirmed ones:[2]

Gold star
Gold star
Gold star
Gold star
Badge Special Warfare insignia
1st Row Silver Star Bronze Star with "V" device and 4 Gold 5/16 inch stars
2nd Row Purple Heart Joint Service Commendation Medal with "V" device Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with "V" device
3rd Row Combat Action Ribbon Navy Presidential Unit Citation National Defense Service Medal
4th Row Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Afghanistan Campaign Medal Iraq Campaign Medal
5th Row Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal Navy Rifle Marksmanship Medal with expert device Navy Pistol Marksmanship Medal with expert device
Badge Navy and Marine Corps Parachutist Insignia

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Bosman, Julie; Schmitt, Eric (24 August 2012). "Chronicler of Bin Laden Raid Is Unmasked". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Mark Owen: Keynote Speaker". AAE Speakers Bureau. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  3. ^ a b Hixenbaugh, Mike (30 August 2012). "Author who detailed bin Laden raid has humble roots". The Virginian-Pilot. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
  4. ^ a b "Osama Bin Laden killing: US Navy Seals row over shooting". BBC News. 6 November 2014. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  5. ^ Ferran, Lee (10 September 2012). "Former SEAL: Why We Shot Osama Bin Laden on Sight". ABC News. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  6. ^ a b Cole, Matthew; Schecter, Anna (6 November 2014). "Who Shot Bin Laden? A Tale of Two SEALs". NBC News. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  7. ^ Kain, Erik (9 November 2012). "Navy Seals Face Disciplinary Action After Consulting On 'Medal Of Honor: Warfighter'". Forbes. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  8. ^ Italie, Hillel; Baldor, Lolita C. (22 August 2012). "Book on bin Laden raid coming out Sept. 11". San Francisco Chronicle. Associated Press. Archived from the original on 22 August 2012. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  9. ^ a b Ferran, Lee (22 August 2012). "Bin Laden Raid Book By Navy SEAL Coming". ABC News. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  10. ^ Hudson, John (15 October 2012). "How Navy SEAL Matt Bissonnette Won the Bin Laden Book Competition". Yahoo! News. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
  11. ^ Ferran, Lee; Martinez, Luis (3 September 2012). "Co-Author: 'Bad Blood' Didn't Cause Ex-SEAL to Pen Bin Laden Book". Yahoo! News. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  12. ^ Lamonthe, Dan (2 November 2014). "Navy SEAL author of 'No Easy Day' back with new book, despite controversy". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 28 March 2023.
  13. ^ Drew, Christopher (19 August 2016). "Ex-SEAL Member Who Wrote Book on Bin Laden Raid Forfeits $6.8 Million". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  14. ^ "'60 Minutes' Mark Owen Interview Scores Huge Ratings". HuffPost. 11 September 2012. Archived from the original on 9 December 2022. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  15. ^ Pelley, Scott (2 November 2014). "A 'much wiser' Mark Owen speaks out". 60 Minutes Overtime. CBS News. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  16. ^ Petty, Michael John (27 October 2023). "The True, Heartbreaking Meaning Behind David Boreanaz's 'SEAL Team' Helmet". Collider. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
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