The Navy SEAL who wrote an account of the raid that killed Osama bin Laden under a pseudonym was identified Thursday as Matt Bissonnette, who retired from the Navy last summer.
Bissonnette was first identified by Fox News. One current and one former U.S. military official confirmed the name, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss military personnel matters.
The book, "No Easy Day," is scheduled to be released Sept. 11, with the author listed under the pseudonym of Mark Owen. Penguin Group (USA)'s Dutton imprint, the publisher, asked news organizations Thursday to withhold his identity.
"Sharing the true story of his personal experience in 'No Easy Day' is a courageous act in the face of obvious risks to his personal security," Dutton spokeswoman Christine Ball said in a statement. "That personal security is the sole reason the book is being published under a pseudonym."
Bissonnette also changed the names of the other SEALs in the account, the publisher says.
Efforts to locate Bissonnette for comment were unsuccessful.
Special Operations Command spokesman Col. Tim Nye said the retired SEAL could be endangered by being identified, which could also expose those active-duty SEALs the author worked with in the killing of bin Laden in Abbottabad, Pakistan last year.
The book and the author's name come out amid debate over the possible damage to U.S. national security by leaks in the media about top secret operations.
Yet the book also comes at a time when special operations forces are prominently featured in the media as never before, even as the elite organizations demand secrecy.
A rash of new books trumpet special operators' exploits. For example, "American Sniper," a best-seller by recently retired SEAL Chris Kyle, details his 150-plus kills of insurgents from 1999 to 2009.
A handful of special operations advocacy groups have sprung up decrying leaks, but they identify themselves by name as former members of some of the elite units, in an online campaign video that slams President Barack Obama for releasing details of the bin Laden raid.
One of the advocacy groups is run by retired Navy SEAL Ryan Zinke, who prominently mentions his time years ago at SEAL Team 6, the top secret unit that carried out the bin Laden raid.
Even Special Operations Command made an exception to its normal reticence with the media when it signed off on the movie "Act of Valor," which followed active duty SEALs carrying out training exercises that were turned into what looked like real action scenes for the film.
The author of "No Easy Day" is slated to appear in shadow in promotional interviews for the book, meant to conceal his identity. CBS News' anchor Scott Pelley said Thursday evening that "60 Minutes" has interviewed the author and will air the interview on Sept. 9.
The book is already listed as one of the top 10 books on Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.com.
Beyond the risk he faces now that his identity is known, he could also face legal trouble if the Pentagon determines that he disclosed classified information in the account.
U.S. military and intelligence officials say they do not believe the book has been read or cleared by the Defense Department. The Pentagon reviews publications by military members - both active duty and retired - to make sure that no classified material is revealed.
Wednesday, June 12 2013 7:59 PM EDT2013-06-12 23:59:45 GMT
A jury has been seated for the trial of Tucker Cipriano. The teen and his friend are charged with beating Cipriano's father to death with a baseball bat and badly injuring his mother and brother.
A jury has been seated for the trial of Tucker Cipriano. The teen and his friend are charged with beating Cipriano's father to death with a baseball bat and badly injuring his mother and brother.
Monday, June 10 2013 6:25 PM EDT2013-06-10 22:25:21 GMT
Jury selection began on Monday in the trial of Tucker Cipriano and Mitchell Young. The judge also issued a gag order.
Jury selection began on Monday in the trial of Tucker Cipriano and Mitchell Young. The judge also issued a gag order. Cipriano and Young are accused of brutally beating Cipriano's father to death in April of 2012.
Friday, May 31 2013 5:02 PM EDT2013-05-31 21:02:47 GMT
Reaction to Pulte's decision to move its headquarters out of Michigan from some of the leaders on Mackinac Island ranged from shock to disappointment. But is there a light at the end of the tunnel?
Reaction to Pulte's decision to move its headquarters out of Michigan from some of the leaders on Mackinac Island ranged from shock to disappointment. But is there a light at the end of the tunnel?
Tuesday, June 18 2013 4:54 PM EDT2013-06-18 20:54:19 GMT
Who will open for Bon Jovi at Ford Field on July 18? Your vote will decide. 20 bands left in the Fox Rocks contest. Voting period: Now through July 10. Time to 'Fox Rocks' the vote.
Who will open for Bon Jovi at Ford Field on July 18? Your vote will decide. 20 bands left in the Fox Rocks contest. Voting period: Now through July 10. Time to 'Fox Rocks' the vote.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 12:52 PM EDT2013-06-19 16:52:35 GMT
The star of HBO's series True Blood wants Starbucks to put a lid on plastic waste. Kristin Bauer has created a petition challenging Starbucks lid policy, saying that it is wasteful.
The star of HBO's series True Blood wants Starbucks to put a lid on plastic waste. Kristin Bauer has created a petition challenging Starbucks lid policy, saying that it is wasteful.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 12:01 PM EDT2013-06-18 16:01:19 GMT
The Detroit Zoo has new babies to share with you this summer. Newborn warthogs, Daphne and Violet were born in April and have just been released into their habitat.
The Detroit Zoo has new babies to share with you this summer. Newborn warthogs, Daphne and Violet, were born in April and have just been released into their habitat.
