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The team credited with killing Osama Bin Laden in 2011 says the country has abandoned them. The unnamed SEAL told journalist Phil Bronstein that he was the one that fired 3 shots into Osama Bin Laden's forehead.
"He has nightmares about how he's going to support his family and how he's going to feed his family," says Bronstein.
In the article, Bronstein refers to the SEAL as the "shooter". A father, separated from his wife, the shooter retired in September, 4 years shy of the military's 20 year rule. According to Bronstein, the man receives no medical benefits and he can't find steady work.
"He gets no pension, zero pension," says Bronstein.
According to reports, the SEAL is not eligible for a pension because he did not remain on active duty for 20 years. Bringing down Bin Laden is not factored into the military's formula. He's definitely not alone in having to fight for benefits after coming home. How is it possible that a Navy SEAL responsible for Bin Laden's demise could wind up with no benefits and no job? Dick Johnson has lived parts of that storyline. Johnson retired from the United States Marine Corps. and spent decades fighting to get medical coverage.
"I say here's the real records," says Johnson. "This is what I should be entitled to."
After receiving a medical discharge in 1969, Johnson says he spent tens of thousands of dollars out of pocket on spinal cord surgeries. There's been more than one. He was badly injured while trying to quell a military on military riot during the Vietnam War. He says the Navy should make exceptions and do so much more for a man that has done so much for freedom.
"Absolutely, absolutely," says Johnson. "He went beyond the call of duty, he went on a secret mission, classified, he can't talk about it, and he took out the #1 suspect in the world that we were after."
In 2005, over 35 years after his injury, the Navy finally agreed to pay for Johnson's medical care. It tears him up that the Navy SEAL may have to spend years fighting for what he has rightfully earned.
"The Department of Defense, the Secretary of Defense should be stepping up and defending this man," says Johnson.
According to Bronstein, the Navy could not comment because it has no information. The Veterans Administration did not return our calls.
Tuesday, February 12 2013, 09:32 PM CST
Tennessee News
Man pleads guilty to Memphis officer's murder
May 21, 2013 22:22 GMT
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) -- A former death row inmate is set to be released from prison after he pleaded guilty to second-degree murder of a Memphis police officer.
Shelby County District Attorney Amy Weirich said Tuesday that she has accepted Timothy McKinney's guilty plea.
McKinney was convicted of first-degree murder for the fatal shooting of Officer Don Williams. The officer was killed outside a comedy club in December 1997.
McKinney appealed and won a new trial, which ended with a deadlocked jury. A third trial earlier this year also ended in a hung jury.
The Commercial Appeal reports that McKinney was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Since he's already served more than 15 years -- including 11 on death row -- McKinney will be released this week.
Williams' family opposed the settlement.
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