Matt Bissonnette (author)

{{Infobox military person

| name = Matt Bissonnette

| image = United States Navy SEALs 602 (cropped).jpg

| caption = Bissonnette during Northern Edge in 2001

| nickname = Mark Owen

| birth_name =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1976|3|17}}

| birth_place = Wrangell, Alaska, U.S.

| allegiance = United States of America

| branch = United States Navy

| serviceyears = 1998–2012

| rank = Petty Officer 3rd class (2001)
(Rating: Special Warfare Operator
Formerly: Torpedoman's Mate)

| unit = {{Tree list}}

| known_for = Writing No Easy Day

| battles = {{Tree list}}

| awards = Silver Star

| alma_mater = Biola University

}}

Matt Bissonnette (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 in 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.{{Cite news |last=Bosman |first=Julie |last2=Schmitt |first2=Eric |date=24 August 2012 |title=Chronicler of Bin Laden Raid Is Unmasked |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/24/business/media/bin-laden-raids-firsthand-chronicler-is-unmasked.html |access-date=10 December 2022 |issn=0362-4331}}

Military career

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 Global War on Terror 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.{{Cite web |title=Mark Owen: Keynote Speaker |publisher=AAE Speakers Bureau |url=https://www.aaespeakers.com/keynote-speakers/mark-owen--2 |access-date=9 December 2022}}{{Cite news |first=Mike |last=Hixenbaugh |date=30 August 2012 |title=Author who detailed bin Laden raid has humble roots |url=https://www.pilotonline.com/military/article_e08726ee-35b8-5c64-b3a2-9c7e8b96d89d.html |access-date=10 December 2022 |website=The Virginian-Pilot}}

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.{{Cite news |date=6 November 2014 |title=Osama Bin Laden killing: US Navy Seals row over shooting |language=en-GB |publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-29945568 |access-date=9 December 2022}}

Some SEALs question whether it is possible to ever determine whose shots killed the terrorist leader. Post retirement, both SEALs received criticism for their books and differences in their accounts of the events.{{Cite news |first=Lee |last=Ferran |date=10 September 2012 |title=Former SEAL: Why We Shot Osama Bin Laden on Sight |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/navy-seal-shot-osama-bin-laden-sight/story?id=17200191 |access-date=11 December 2022 |publisher=ABC News |language=en}} 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.{{Cite news |first1=Matthew |last1=Cole |first2=Anna |last2=Schecter |date=6 November 2014 |title=Who Shot Bin Laden? A Tale of Two SEALs |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/investigations/who-shot-bin-laden-tale-two-seals-n241241 |access-date=11 December 2022 |publisher=NBC News |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Kain |first=Erik |date=9 November 2012 |title=Navy Seals Face Disciplinary Action After Consulting On 'Medal Of Honor: Warfighter' |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2012/11/09/navy-seals-face-disciplinary-action-after-consulting-on-medal-of-honor-warfighter/ |access-date=11 December 2022 |website=Forbes |language=en}}

Post-military career

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.{{Cite web |first1 = Hillel |last1 = Italie |first2 = Lolita C. |last2 = Baldor |date = 22 August 2012 |title = Book on bin Laden raid coming out Sept. 11 |work = San Francisco Chronicle |agency = Associated Press |url = http://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/Book-on-bin-Laden-raid-coming-out-Sept-11-3807485.php |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120822225945/http://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/Book-on-bin-Laden-raid-coming-out-Sept-11-3807485.php |archive-date = 22 August 2012 |access-date = 9 December 2022 }} 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.{{Cite web |first = Lee |last = Ferran |date = 22 August 2012 |title = Bin Laden Raid Book By Navy SEAL Coming |url = http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2012/08/report-bin-laden-raid-book-by-navy-seal-coming |access-date = 9 December 2022 |publisher = ABC News |language = en}}

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.{{Cite news |first = John |last = Hudson |date = 15 October 2012 |title = How Navy SEAL Matt Bissonnette Won the Bin Laden Book Competition |url = https://news.yahoo.com/navy-seal-matt-bissonnette-won-bin-laden-book-184233620.html |access-date = 10 December 2022 |website = Yahoo! News |language = en-US }}{{Cite news |first1 = Lee |last1 = Ferran |first2 = Luis |last2 = Martinez |date = 3 September 2012 |title = Co-Author: 'Bad Blood' Didn't Cause Ex-SEAL to Pen Bin Laden Book |url = http://news.yahoo.com/co-author-bad-blood-didnt-cause-ex-seal-182438621--abc-news-topstories.html |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160305033308/http://news.yahoo.com/co-author-bad-blood-didnt-cause-ex-seal-182438621--abc-news-topstories.html |archive-date = 5 March 2016 |access-date = 11 December 2022 |website = Yahoo! News }} It also placed on The New York Times Best Seller list. A few months before coming to national attention, Bissonnette sold his family's Virginia Beach home and quietly left town.

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.{{cite news |last=Lamonthe |first=Dan |date=2 November 2014 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2014/11/02/navy-seal-author-of-no-easy-day-back-with-new-book-despite-controversy/ |title=Navy SEAL author of ‘No Easy Day’ back with new book, despite controversy |work=The Washington Post |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328130606/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2014/11/02/navy-seal-author-of-no-easy-day-back-with-new-book-despite-controversy/ |archive-date= Mar 28, 2023 }} In August 2016, Bissonnette settled a lawsuit and agreed to pay back his royalties of US$6.8 million to the US government.{{Cite news |last=Drew |first=Christopher |date=19 August 2016 |title=Ex-SEAL Member Who Wrote Book on Bin Laden Raid Forfeits $6.8 Million |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/20/us/bin-laden-book-seal-team-6.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=9 December 2022 |issn=0362-4331}}

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."{{Cite web |date=11 September 2012 |title='60 Minutes' Mark Owen Interview Scores Huge Ratings |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/60-minutes-mark-owen-huge-ratings_n_1875106 |access-date=9 December 2022 |website=HuffPost |language=en |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209145303/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/60-minutes-mark-owen-huge-ratings_n_1875106 |archive-date= 9 December 2022 }}{{Cite news |first = Scott |last = Pelley |date = 2 November 2014 |title = A 'much wiser' Mark Owen speaks out |url = https://www.cbsnews.com/news/a-much-wiser-mark-owen-speaks-out/ |access-date = 9 December 2022 |work = 60 Minutes Overtime |publisher = CBS News |language = en-US }} He is also an executive producer (credited as Mark Owen), starting in the second season of the television series SEAL Team. 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.{{Cite web |last=Petty |first=Michael John |date=2023-10-27 |title=The True, Heartbreaking Meaning Behind David Boreanaz’s ‘SEAL Team' Helmet |url=https://collider.com/seal-team-david-boreanaz-helmet-meaning/ |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=Collider |language=en}} 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.

Awards and decorations

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

name="AAE"/>

style="margin: 1em auto; text-align: center;"

colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"|200px

colspan="6"|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Silver Star ribbon.svg{{!}}border|width=106}} {{Ribbon devices|number=4|type=award-star|ribbon=Bronze Star ribbon.svg|width=106}}21px

File:Purple Heart ribbon.svg

| {{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=0|ribbon=Joint Service Commendation ribbon.svg|width=106}}21px

| {{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=0|ribbon=Navy and Marine Corps Commendation ribbon.svg|width=106}}21px

{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star |ribbon=Combat Action Ribbon.svg{{!}}border|width=106}}

| {{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=United States Navy Presidential Unit Citation ribbon.svg|width=106}}

| {{Ribbon devices|ribbon=National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg{{!}}border|width=106}}

{{Ribbon devices|ribbon=Global War on Terrorism Service ribbon.svg{{!}}border|width=106}}

| {{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Afghanistan Campaign ribbon.svg|width=106}}

| {{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Iraq Campaign Medal ribbon.svg{{!}}border|width=106}}

{{Ribbon devices|ribbon=Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary ribbon.svg{{!}}border |width=106}}

| {{Ribbon devices|ribbon=United States Navy Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon with expert device.svg{{!}}border|width=106}}

|106px

colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"|200px

style="margin: 1em auto; text-align: center;" class="wikitable"
scope=row \|Badge \| colspan="6" style="text-align:center;"\|Special Warfare insignia
scope=row \|1st Row \|colspan="3"\|Silver Star \|colspan="3"\|Bronze Star with "V" device and 4 Gold 5/16 inch stars
scope=row \|2nd Row \|colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"\|Purple Heart \| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"\|Joint Service Commendation Medal with "V" device \| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"\|Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with "V" device
scope=row \|3rd Row \| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"\|Combat Action Ribbon \| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"\|Navy Presidential Unit Citation \| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"\|National Defense Service Medal
scope=row \|4th Row \| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"\|Global War on Terrorism Service Medal \| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"\|Afghanistan Campaign Medal \| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"\|Iraq Campaign Medal
scope=row \|5th Row \| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"\|Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal \| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"\|Navy Rifle Marksmanship Medal with expert device \| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"\|Navy Pistol Marksmanship Medal with expert device
scope=row \|Badge \| colspan="6" style="text-align:center;"\|Navy and Marine Corps Parachutist Insignia

style="margin: 1em auto; text-align: center;" class="wikitable"

scope=row |Badge

| colspan="6" style="text-align:center;"|Special Warfare insignia

scope=row |1st Row

|colspan="3"|Silver Star

|colspan="3"|Bronze Star with "V" device and 4 Gold 5/16 inch stars

scope=row |2nd Row

|colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"|Purple Heart

| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"|Joint Service Commendation Medal with "V" device

| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"|Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with "V" device

scope=row |3rd Row

| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"|Combat Action Ribbon