Who Actually Shot bin Laden? A Sketch of the Mystery Hero
- Posted on May 3, 2011 at 10:54pm by
Emily Esfahani Smith
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According to various reports, the elite “SEALs Team 6 Unit” led the raid on the Pakistani compound which left Osama bin Laden dead. Though we’ve read and heard accounts of what went down during the raid, we haven’t heard anything about who actually shot and killed bin Laden that day.
Who is the mystery shooter? How old is he? What is he like?
The Washington Post, with the help of a three former SEALs, puts together a sketch of the mysterious hero:
He’s likely between the ages of 26 and 33, says Marcinko, founder of the elite “SEALs Team 6” — now known as DEVGRU — that many believe led the assault on bin Laden’s compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan. He’ll be old enough to have had time to hurdle the extra training tests required to join the elite counter-terrorism unit, yet young enough to withstand the body-punishing rigors of the job. The shooter’s a man, it’s safe to say, because there are no women in the SEALs. And there’s a good chance he’s white, though the SEALs have stepped up efforts to increase the number of minorities in their ranks, Marcinko and Smith say. A “positive thinker” who “gets in trouble when he’s not challenged,” Marcinko suspects, a man who “flunked vacation and flunked relaxing.”
He was probably a high school or college athlete, Smith says, a physical specimen who combines strength, speed and agility. “They call themselves ‘tactical athletes,’ ” says Smith, who works with many prospective SEALs in his Heroes of Tomorrow training program in Severna Park. “It’s getting very scientific.”
Marcinko puts it in more conventional terms: “He’ll be ripped,” says the author of the best-selling autobiography “ Rogue Warrior .” “He’s got a lot of upper-body strength. Long arms. Thin waist. Flat tummy.”
More details about the mystery shooter here.
Via Hot Air.



















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Comments (145)
ducker44
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 12:21amOK, So the SEAL’s are ripped. Why cant we just unleash them on the rest of the middle east and clean house!
Report Post »5410amh
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 12:10amWhoever he is I would like to shake his hand and say thanks.
Report Post »OlefromMN
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 11:55pm“Who Actually Shot bin Laden?” WE did! I do not want to put one of our finest in the spotlight over this. WE AMERICANS did this. If they need a target to hunt for eternity, use my face.
Report Post »OlefromMN
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 12:08amI needed to update my profile photo. I hope the Bud Grant photo is still not up. Let them chase Bugs or me.
Report Post »SUEB
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 11:02amYour 100% right…… We all did it….We do not take crap from anyone…..We seek and find….WE WE ….USA USA …..All of us…
Report Post »jhandrock
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 2:52pmYou and me both OlefromMN
Report Post »You are correct, we did it!
CanteenBoy
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 11:43pmThe Man, The Myth, The Legend!
Report Post »AmeriCat
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 11:37pmPraise to all the Seals, as they remain unknown by name and face
Report Post »blazingaway
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 11:36pmOnly the best of the best … which is only found in the freest of the free
Report Post »tmplarnite
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 11:34pmCouldn’t have anything to do with Obozo…he was mad when the seals shot the the ratbag pirates!
Report Post »BonnieBlueFlag
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 11:34pmMay I just add that the author/shill being quoted in this article is talking out of his ANUS. I know a little something about the guys in DEVGRU and other special ops (sometimes black ops.) They are trained WARRIORS. They are not “Jesus with a sixpack.”
They are trained to kill anyone who gets in their way or might blow their cover including innocent children who happen to wander up. Hey, that’s how it HAS to be, I understand that. But this profile is pure dung.
These guys are adrenaline junkies. You know all the pictures of our caring soldiers hugging foreign children? Yeah, that’s not these guys. These guys sneak into North Korea for the bragging rights.
The guys who join up to be “the good guys” usually get sent to the front lines. They don’t have the stomach for how stuff REALLY gets done i.e. purposely killing civilians as a means to expedite a mission.
Look, they’re all heroes, but people need to wake up from the Hollywood idea that heroes only kill in self defense, and they are all sensitive cryers who would never cheat on their wives. Some heroes aren’t the kind of people that the rest of us delicate flowers can relate to. Some heroes are hard and mean, but that’s what the job requires.
Report Post »Paulhgreenbay
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 11:47pmWell put. Truer words were never spoken.
Was really hoping that Delta was responsible for this one. Oh well, great job DEVGRU.
Report Post »BonnieBlueFlag
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 12:04am@Paul
I just noticed that the quoted author used the words “flat tummy” when describing the unknown SEAL. Not “flat abs.” Tummy. TUMMY! WTF.
Report Post »conrad_carter
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 11:29pmIf I saw this poor fellow on the street I’d say, “What the hell’s up with you buddy? Was it you or the other guy who shot that girl in the leg? What’s up with THAT? You don’t shoot to wound, that was piss poor shooting. And a bullet over his left eye… you almost missed. what the hell is up with THAT? You know they all go in the snot locker. And I want to see 100 push ups, and you’re on guard duty.
Report Post »LIVINGTHEDREAM
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 11:27pmThe credit will always be with the gladiator in the ring and not a member of the crowd in the grandstands.
Report Post »shirt001
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 11:21pmSurprised? the left wing media’sjob has always been to help the terrorists. They are actually 100 times more dangerous than any terrorist. I wish the SEALS would of stormed abc, nbc and cbs. Now that would be nice to see. With the same outcome of course.
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 1:17amIt certainly would have made an improvement!
Report Post »Elena2010
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 11:15pmOh no, ladies, SEALs are simply beautiful in Speedos! w/o looking like those Mr Universe guys. They have all the right muscles in just the right places w/o looking overdone. Plus, they have brains. We had one in our OCS Class 86001, Papa Company, NETC Newport RI.
These guys all deserve Silver Stars or better for going behind enemy lines and getting the job done! Pity they won’t get to wear them any time soon…classified!
Report Post »C. Schwehr
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 11:21pmOh, I understand they can wear the medals, but please don’t try to ask them what the conditions were…you’ll get a blank stare, or a polite avoidance.
Report Post »marine249
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 11:12pmnon lib
Report Post »nevada69
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 11:11pmThe government keeps slopping our troughs with bulls__t and we keep lapping it up and gulping down the Kool-Aid. There was a time when our journalists were a thin red line against government lies and deception but no more. The one who is really dead is Thomas Paine. We are, indeed, a pathetic people.
Report Post »ramburner
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 11:13pmAmen!
Report Post »ramburner
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 11:11pmWhoever he is, he will not speak openly, even if they by chance find him. He is a professional who takes no pleasure in doing what must be done to protect our nation, and he should have our respect – which translates into just leave the guy alone. He did his job. I salute him and his supporting troops, who together keep our country safe. May God Bless him and comfort him in his time of need.
Report Post »AmeriCat
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 11:47pmWell said.
Report Post »fnnvsl
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 11:11pmThis is stupid. The shooter would probably demonstrate the face-to-palm maneuver after reading this. I bet the former SEALs were asked about the characteristics of guys in this unit, and the media had to turn it into some amazing mystery hero story.
Report Post »Dr. Insane O
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 11:10pmStupid a$$ reporters are going to expose this guy, his family and friends to some psychopathic killers just for a story.
Let it alone, just let it alone.
Report Post »Laus Deo
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 11:09pmWhat the hell is this, but tripe?
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 1:12amIf they had been describing a woman, you’d be drooling.
Report Post »pinkhouses32
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 11:09pmThe article described me to a T. lol
Report Post »onegodinkansas
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 11:09pmSomeone has to replace Superman.
Report Post »rose-ellen
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 3:51pmThey complied with Sharia in handling the body.A victory for Osama and a billion Muslims.Macho SEALS obedient to orders to submit to Sharia law.Obedient murderous drones with no principals except to submit to orders from above.
Report Post »WeRunDCnotThem
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 11:07pmS.E.A.L. Guys all look like Superheroes to me. Square jaw and superman like bodies. These guys are all flat out BA. I would not want to tangle with one. I am 6′4″ and 225, I will always be small compared to one of these guys. When me and a Navy S.E.A. L. went rock climbing I felt like he always was in combat mode. These heroes live for this…..support wounded warrior for sure. Families sacrifice a lot having these guys out there doing what they love.
Report Post »sodizzy
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 2:38amPlus the ones I know are very tenderhearted.
Report Post »JoeySocal
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 11:07pmFor good reason we will never know the name of the shooter. At least I hope so for his own safety.
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 11:10pmWe can count Obama out he never fit the profile
Report Post »PrfctlyFrank
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 12:44amThese guys don’t sign up to get recognized.. They sign up for the action, the discipline, and the brotherhood of a truly elite corps.. They go through training that can not be motivated by greed, or fame, or recognition by any others but those that endure, and pass, the same training as they do day in and day out..
Report Post »A wink, a nod of recognition, or the respect of attention, by his peers will be the only recognition he will need to know that a job was well done.. Now, back to training..
TEXAN1836
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 11:03pmAn American…
Report Post »Dustyluv
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 4:18amAccording to some libturds he is a murderer. I can tell you that they will sttempt to bring murder charges against him since OBL was unarmed.
Sad but true. We MUST take our Nation back!
Report Post »BonnieBlueFlag
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 11:02pmWhat in Hades? Now I’m really convinced they are hiding something.
They are trying to create a Epic Hero here. A legend. A fable. They are trying to get you to visualize a Superman to vindicate their story. This REEKS.
How many of the 5w’s are in this story: 0.
Pure propaganda.
Report Post »C. Schwehr
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 11:18pmSEALs are not your average person…to endure the training and the missions, you CAN’T be a normal person….Are they supermen? Of course not. They ARE the best that the military can produce, which is quite an impressive person by any standard. Is this propaganda? Maybe a little bit…but it’s mainly just vague because the shooter who did the deed on OBL cannot be identified…EVER. Oh, there will be some, Team members, and some within the brotherhood who will know, and keep the secret out of respect….But there will probably never be official recognition by the government. It really doesn’t matter anyway….We know the bastard is gone…we know to some extent who the people were who did it….and they have our eternal thanks.
Report Post »BIGJAYINPA
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 11:19pmBonnie they are heros and epics. The SEALs are myth, they are superhuman. They walk through walls, they are invisible. They are everywhere and they are unseen. The only way you know they are there is when bad people start dropping from well placed shots. They have the ability to remain motionless in hiding for hours only to strike like a cobra unseen except for the fang marks in the targets neck. The shield is anonymity and they are very very good at what they do. And what they do is keep us safe and make our enemies look over their shoulder in fear.
Report Post »ozchambers
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 11:36pmThis is simply the average general physical description and general psychological traits of a SEAL 6 operator as told by the man who would know best. The original C.O., and creator of SEAL team 6,Dick Marcinko. It isnt propoganda, just the press giving the people what they want to hear more about.
Report Post »BonnieBlueFlag
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 11:44pm@ Schwehr and Big Jay
My point is that there is no data in this article. It is pure fantasy. As for the accuracy of this particular fantasy, feel free to agree with the quoted author. What I am saying is that there is as much relevance to reality in this article as there is in a Soviet Stalin statue. It’s purpose is to drive the primal emotions. It is trying to appeal to the same part of your brain as a beer or car commercial. My question is: why? Why are they using imagery to seduce your senses on this issue. Aren’t the facts enough? This sounds like some kind of Nixonian Cointelpro. Seriously.
Also, the man who shot Bin Laden (if he was shot in the manner Obama claims) could be a wiry Russian merk working with the American team for all you know. You don’t know jack-all about the man; and dreaming up sexualized fantasies about the triggerman is just, well, psycho.
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 12:27amQuit yer griping, would ya?
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 1:09amThey cannot give you a picture of the guy, okay? The ONLY thing they can do is give you a generic description of him. If you cannot bring yourself to imagine such a hero, please remember that there are tall white-haired ladies out here who are enjoying having our “senses seduced” into performing the mental exercise of using the imagination.
Now — be quiet. I’m busy!
Report Post »sodizzy
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 2:32amSorry for you…it seems you can’t have heroes and enjoy victory. OK. Keep your guard up!!
Report Post »Robert-CA
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 11:00pmWhat is this ?
Report Post »To me he’s a hero along with all of our men & women in uniform .
banjarmon
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 11:05pmDo we really care which one squeezed the trigger??
Report Post »I’m just glad they did.
KEEP him unknown for his safety.
Finch88
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 11:05pmA true American Hero. Grateful for him.
http://politicalbowl.com – Political Videos
Report Post »staggerlee32
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 11:06pmKeep him safe, unless he wants to be known.
Report Post »jeffyfreezone
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 11:15pmHe is the best of us!
Report Post »CatB
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 11:17pmThey are a team … Thank you to all who serve!
Report Post »nptden
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 11:18pmWhoever he is, thank-you. Hope he gets another chance at some of the others. Maybe we should have SEALS work right here.
Report Post »SavingtheRepublic.com
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 11:24pmKinda wish they kept the body long enough to pull rounds out of him and run ballistics. That way they’ll know exactly whose gun they came out of and IMO give that man the $25 million reward!
Report Post »Okie from Muskogee
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 11:27pmAn average description of a SEAL is alright but keep it at that so as to not bug out and stress down the team with unnecessary distractions….These same folks live amongst us and if reporters begin running around trying to expose them it will only lead to a disservice to the men who we rely on more then we even know….
I say if we can allow an idiot as NFL Mendenhall to be paid millions for running up and down a field for a hour that these men of this operation anonymously get deposited into their accounts the divided bounty that was placed on Osama’s head… These are the men that should be paid millions…. These are the true heroes and role models….Let them be in peace while state side….
Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 11:46pmSo with this description he could either be the sailor from the village people or Popeye? They just described most of the chipndales dancers. We will never know what this guy looks like, but we don’t need to, he knows the country owes him one.
Go SEALS.
Report Post »MIBUGNU2
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 11:58pmOORAH !! Everyone who serves, is as much a Hero as the Seal
who pulled the trigger, They all have a job to do, and they all have
my appreciation protecting this Great Country..THANKS !!!
Semper Fi.. NOBAMA – 2012
Report Post »not-a-lib
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 11:59pmAnyone else catch how the PC bug snuck in?
“And there’s a good chance he’s white, though the SEALs have stepped up efforts to increase the number of minorities in their ranks”
This is what bugs me… why can’t the BEST be recruited? I don’t care what color you are! I want the BEST!!!
Report Post »Stoic one
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 12:03amSIR!
I do not care what you look like THANK YOU FOR THE SHOT
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE
ALL OTHERS IN THE SERVICE AND..RETIRED
Report Post »THANK YOU .. ONE AND ALL
MIBUGNU2
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 12:15am@ NOT A LIB
Only the very Best form the Services will even be given the chance to
Report Post »become Seals, and then I think only about 10% of them make the grade..
and it has noyhing to do with color………
Showtime
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 12:24amDidn’t the story describe every military guy and vet who posts on The Brave — make that The Blaze?
Report Post »GeorgieJo
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 12:25amThank YOU Mr Unknown SEAL YOU are truly a HERO!!!!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 12:25am@MIBUGNU2
Report Post »That is just not fair, there should be a quota, women can shot people in the face just as good as men can. Gays should also allowed in and of course looking at prison statistics, minorities are most apt at shooting people in the face. So why aren’t there more gay black, latino lesbian crossdresser, islamic, atheist, hermaphrodite SEALS? We need to be a fair and just society that tolerates all
Eric_The_Red_State
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 12:39amCome on people….
As much as I want to see justice done – I do not need to see brains on the pavement or the person who caused the brains to be on the pavement.
Someone killed someone –
I see no reason to cheer – have a party – celebrate – or have a cigar.
Have a cigar when we can all either learn to get along or at least leave each other alone in peace.
Someone has to view in his mind shooting and killing another human being. And even if it was satan incarnate – I wouldn’t want to be haunted with those visions no matter who it was.
So count me out of the smiles and cheers
Report Post »Nervous Investor
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 12:45amSavingtheRepublic – I suggest sharing the reward amongst all the folks who participated. They are not doing this for the money ….. but I am confident that they could find good use for half a million bucks each after allowing the helo crews and the folks who developed the intelligence a share or two as well.
Report Post »revel222
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 12:49amThis is one of those moments where all Americans understand the need for secrecy. Tell us 50 years from now when our country is back on the right track. This mans anonymity is for the safety of him and his family and serves no great purpose to expose. If it wasn’t him, it would’ve been one of his brothers. He doesn‘t need recognition and he doesn’t need criticism. It’s better left unsaid.
Report Post »1TrueOne55
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 12:55amHe will be a silent hero according to his orders so that he can continue to work in his field, if the political class will leave him alone and not try to out him with medals and public honors. He was just doing his job of taking care of his partners when he did what was needed to make sure that the mission was accomplished as ordered.
Report Post »thepatriotdave
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 1:26amFor his sake, I think his identity should be kept a secret. And painting this fictional picture of the person that may have shot Bin Laden serves no purpose. Stop wasting our time on this crap!
Time for a real leader…
Report Post »http://www.AmericasTeaPartyNews.com
sodizzy
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 2:29amSEALS stand out and should get special recognition.
Report Post »warrior21
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 3:12amLet’s leave the guy alone. He will have enough problems dealing with the fact he shot an unarmed man even though it was under orders. Are they heroes? Just what is a hero? One dictionary definition is : A person noted for feats of courage or nobility of purpose, especially one who has risked or sacrificed his or her life. I find it odd that today everyone in the Armed Forces is a hero just like everyone in movies is a superstar.
Report Post »I served 26 years in the military, pulling two tours each in Korea and Vietnam during the wars. I can’t remember ever being called a hero, or feeling like one. Those weren’t popular wars so the American people didn’t celebrate the military. In fact, many called us “baby killers”. We got no parade down Fifth Ave and didn’t ask for one. The Seal who shot OBL is going to have to live with it for the rest of his life. It is not easy to kill an unarmed man when you are a normal sane person. Pity him! Having said that… I congratulate Seal Team six for a job well done. The members of the Special Operation Group which includes…the Seals, Army Special Forces, Army Rangers, Delta Force and others have my respect and the respect of the nation. I regret that we couldn’t have had that respect during Korea and Vietnam.
PATTY HENRY
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 3:26amLEAVE IT ALONE!!!! IF this great HERO was ever named, his family et al would be in great danger.
LEAVE IT THE HELL ALONE. GO get your jollies somewhere else…why not think of some good stuff we can be doing FOR OUR MILITARY than trying to make friggin’ tabloid fodder out of them.
GROW THE HELL UP!!!
Report Post »Getten
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 5:11amEspecially Panetta – http://socyberty.com/issues/white-house-insider-obama-hesitated-panetta-issued-order-to-kill-osama-bin-laden/
Report Post »ILUVJESUS
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 5:30amProtect his family, keep it a secret.
Report Post »Sinista MACE
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 8:35amBin Ladin wasn’t shot.
I told you already, I incinerated his body internally with a psychic maelstrom in 2001.
He’s been dead for years.
The ashes that remained after I incinerated him blew away in the wind, to be seen nevermore.
Well, it’s as feasible as the official story…
Report Post »Professional Infidel
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 9:37amMy finger is still itching, Had I been there, and had it been me. His head would be on a stick, At 5th and Broadway.! Or perhaps I’d have dropped him off the Empire state Building, (with his picture pinned to his chest)!!
Report Post »JayCee
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 9:49amExactly.
Report Post »They are all heroes.
Those on the ground as well as all the men and women who gathered and analyzed the intel and formulated the mission plan.
Evileye
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 10:20amSome one that would punch your ticket if he thought it necessary
Report Post »The Big Pickle
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 10:47am“he’s probably White…”
Love it!
Ninety Nine percent of the Seals, Rangers, Helicopter and Jet Fighter pilots are White!
Yeah baby!
Report Post »Polwatcher
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 10:56amThe gretest unsung hero in the world today.
Report Post »jblovesAmerica
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 11:13amread Marcinko’s book way back-his actions tasked by higher ups-got him drummed out of the Navy.
Report Post »He and a band of SEALS took over a SUB pen and kidnapped the Admirals wife.
his exposure of the short comings of security hit some nerves.
He is a good one to tell the SEAL story.a no BS American hero
Armed Patriot
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 12:15pmMaybe he could go kick Superman’s butt for turning his back on the USA and renouncing his citizenship. Id also like to send him a case of Jack. Good job Seal Team 6, even though you dont exist. Good Job.
Report Post »rose-ellen
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 1:45pmA murderous drone for the hi-tech greedy american superpower.But for all his macho with the weapons,he obediently submitted like the obedient drone that he is to orders to comply with Sharia law in dispensing with the bodyThe world does not belong only to america when we have to finally acknowledge there are a billion muslims in the world.it took 9-11 and 9 years of war but those macho american drones who dispensed with the body incompliance to sharia gave a victory to Osama and a bilion Muslims whose sensibilities suddenly mattered.Job well done Osama.The world HAS changed!
Report Post »hud
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 2:01pmHero? Holder is probably preparing murder charges, and they’ll be calling him Perp 1 or Defendant 1 in the near future. Would you put this past Obummer most foul.
Report Post »