Washington: The member of US Navy SEAL Team 6 who shot and killed Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden in the military operation in Pakistan in May 2011 told Esquire magazine that he has neither health insurance nor a pension after leaving the armed forces.
"(M)y health care for me and my family stopped. I asked if there was some transition from my Tricare to Blue Cross Blue Shield. They said no. You're out of the service, your coverage is over. Thanks for your 16 years," he said in an interview.
In the interview, the former SEAL, identified only as "The Shooter", also revealed certain details about the mission.
"In that second, I shot him, two times in the forehead. Bap! Bap! The second time as he's going down. He crumpled onto the floor in front of his bed. He was dead," he said.
The shooter said he had to shoot Osama because there was a gun within reach of the Al Qaeda leader.
The former SEAL also related how one of Osamas' sons burst into tears when he saw his father's dead body.
In addition, in the interview the former soldier recounted some of the difficulties he had after returning to the US and how his marriage fell apart because of the pressure.
IANS
First Published: Tuesday, February 12, 2013, 10:48