Most decorated vet in American history? Sorry, Kid Rock, it's not Robert O'Neill
By Mike Hixenbaugh
The (Norfolk) Virginian-Pilot
Published: June 12, 2015
Robert O'Neill said he knew it was Osama bin Laden as soon as he saw him through his night-vision scope. In an interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, O'Neill said Bin Laden's tall height and his build — even his nose — gave him away when he spotted him during the 2011 raid of his Pakistan hide-out.
NORFOLK, Va. (Tribune News Service) — Robert O'Neill, the former Navy SEAL who identified himself last year as the man who shot and killed Osama bin Laden, racked up an impressive collection of awards during his 16 years in the military.
In his trophy case: Two Silver Stars. Four Bronze Stars with valor. A Joint Service Commendation Medal with valor. Three Presidential Unit Citations. A Navy Commendation Medal with valor.
O'Neill participated in some of the most legendary special operations missions of the past decade.
The legend grew last month at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, when Kid Rock introduced the former SEAL as "the most decorated veteran in American history."
A saxophonist played the National Anthem as O'Neill walked on stage and waved to the screaming crowd. Kid Rock dropped to one knee and bowed at O'Neill's feet.
One problem:
O'Neill isn't the most decorated veteran in American history, a distinction often bestowed upon Gen. Douglas MacArthur, recipient of the Medal of Honor and more than 100 other military citations.It's possible Kid Rock just got his lines twisted up: On the motivational speaking circuit, O'Neill, who left the Navy as a senior chief petty officer, is typically introduced as "one of the most highly decorated combat veterans of our time."
Nonetheless, a video of the stadium introduction has been making the rounds this week — in mocking text messages and emails — among fellow SEALs and other special operations soldiers, many who have been critical of O'Neill since his decision to reveal himself last year on a Fox News primetime special.
O'Neill's version of the bin Laden raid — particularly the detail about who fired the shots that killed the terrorist — contradicted the public account of at least one other SEAL who was there, igniting an internal debate and shining an uncomfortable spotlight on the secretive Naval Special Warfare Development Group, the Virginia Beach-based unit better known as SEAL Team 6.
Said one former SEAL after seeing the video: "Please don't send me anything else about this guy. I'm over it."
http://www.stripes.com/news/us/most-decorated-vet-in-american-history-sorry-kid-rock-it-s-not-robert-o-neill-1.352185
