Memoir of soldier who killed Osama bin Laden to S&S

Former Navy Seal Robert O’Neill, the decorated special operations soldier who fired the shots that killed Osama bin Laden in May 2011, will publish his memoir with Simon & Schuster in April.

Entitled The Operator, the book will be published worldwide by Simon & Schuster in the United States (Scribner imprint), United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and India and simultaneously in audiobook by Simon & Schuster Audio on 25th April 2017.

According to the publisher: "O’Neill’s memoir will vividly recount his remarkable 400-mission career, from the extreme Seal training he endured, to the missions that earned him more than 52 decorations with honors, including two Silver Stars, four Bronze Stars with Valor, and a Joint Service Commendation Medal with Valor."

As well as recounting the preparation for and execution of the clandestine US attack on Osama bin Laden’s secret compound in Pakistan in May 2011, The Operator will provide intimate accounts of the rescues of Captain Phillips from Somali pirates and of 'Lone Survivor' Seal Marcus Luttrell from behind enemy lines in Afghanistan. It will also offer powerful stories about the war against terror and will capture the "fierce and unique brotherhood among Seals"—many of whom spend up to 300 days away from their families and rely on team members for their survival.

Robert O’Neill said: "I wrote The Operator because I wanted to share the human side of the warriors who are fighting for and protecting our nation. They are extraordinary people, but they are also normal and I was proud to serve with them. I also wanted to show that it is possible to doanything you want, no matter where you are from, as long as you work hard, avoid negativity and never quit."

Rick Horgan, vice president and executive editor for Scribner US acquired world and audio rights from literary agent Howard Yoon of the Ross Yoon literary agency.

He said: "The Operator is going to defy a lot of expectations. It’s an adrenaline-rush all the way through, but also one of the most enlightening accounts ever of how we make modern war, and the unique mix of courage and self-discipline that is bred into the elite units we rely on to be the tip of America’s spear."