What Robert J. O'Neill has said about Killing of Osama bin Laden

O'Neill says the bin Laden raid felt worth the risk of death because of the families affected by 9/11.

“because so many families were affected by 9-11, and we might die, this is worth it”

Mick Unplugged: Service Above Self: A Memorial Day Tribute to the Heroes Who Defended Our Freedom (May 25, 2026) · Listen from 27:30

O'Neill says the team had to move quickly in Abbottabad partly to avoid confrontations with Pakistani police.

“And the last thing I wanted to do was kill a policeman doing his job”

Mick Unplugged: Service Above Self: A Memorial Day Tribute to the Heroes Who Defended Our Freedom (May 25, 2026) · Listen from 28:58

O'Neill recounts advising himself during the flight out not to waste energy worrying about things he could not affect.

“if you're worried about something right now that your worry will not affect, you're wasting your energy”

Mick Unplugged: Service Above Self: A Memorial Day Tribute to the Heroes Who Defended Our Freedom (May 25, 2026) · Listen from 28:32

O'Neill says the SEALs cleared bin Laden's compound by relying on simple, mastered basics.

“The guy in front of me went left. I went right. And we did that over and over”

Mick Unplugged: Service Above Self: A Memorial Day Tribute to the Heroes Who Defended Our Freedom (May 25, 2026) · Listen from 33:11