Navy SEAL Who Killed Bin Laden Is Revealed

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Video: Ben Laden's Killer Reveals Himself

By Sky News US Team

The former Navy SEAL who shot and killed Osama bin Laden has been identified for the first time as Rob O'Neill.

The revelation in the Mail Online came ahead of a Fox News interview in which Mr O'Neill is expected to discuss the May 2011 raid in Abbottabad, Pakistan, where the terror mastermind was killed.

The website described Mr O'Neill, 38, as a veteran Navy SEAL who had concluded several tours of duty, including in Afghanistan and Iraq.

He earned two Silver Stars and four Bronze Stars with Combat "V" among other decorations, the report said. He left the service after 16 years.

His decision to come out as the killer of al Qaeda leader bin Laden was made in part because he lost some military benefits, having left the SEALs before a full 20 years of service, according to the report.

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Gallery: Bin Laden's Hideout From Air And Ground

This aerial view of Osama bin Laden's compound in Abbottabad shows the area (highlighted) before the building was built in 2004 and then again in 2011.

This photograph was taken in 2005. It is believed bin Laden could have lived in the compound for up to six years before he was finally tracked down by the CIA last August.

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The location of the heavily fortifed villa, located just a few miles from the capital Islamabad, has raised questions about how Pakistani intelligence agents failed to detect the world's most wanted man.

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This illustration shows the high walls surrounding the house and the area where all of the property's rubbish was burnt.

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He did so fully aware of the risks he faced.

"People are asking if we are worried that ISIS will come and get us because Rob is going public," his father, Tom O'Neill, told the Mail Online.

"I say I'll paint a big target on my front door and say 'come and get us'."

Video: May 2011: 'Bin Laden Is Dead'

Mr O'Neill had already spoken to Esquire magazine in a piece published last year, but his identity had not been revealed and he had been identified only as "The Shooter".

In that interview, he said he had joined the US Navy at the age of 19 following a heartbreak. He described the top secret lead-up to the raid, his training and finally the mission.

"I'm not religious, but I always felt I was put on the Earth to do something specific. After that mission, I knew what it was," he told Esquire.

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Gallery: Seals Shirt From Bin Laden Raid Displayed

The shirt a Navy Seal wore in the raid that killed Osama bin Laden is being displayed at the September 11 museum. Pic: 9/11 Memorial/Jin Lee

The shirt was among items that went on display just days before the anniversary of the 2001 attack. Pic: 9/11 Memorial/Jin Lee

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US Navy SEALs, both on active duty and retired, possess highly sensitive information about tactics and techniques that are central to the success of their secret and often dangerous missions overseas.

That is why they are obliged to sign non-disclosure agreements when they enter service and when they leave.

Another member of the team, Matt Bissonnette, who wrote a first-hand account called No Easy Day under the pseudonym Mark Owen, is under criminal investigation.

Video: On 9/11 Eve, Clinton Rued Bin Laden

He is suing his ex-lawyers for allegedly giving him bad advice.

The Fox News documentary is scheduled to air this month.

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