WASHINGTON ( CNN ) -- The author of the yet-to-be-published book `` No Easy Day : The Firsthand Account of the Mission That Killed Osama Bin Laden '' wrote it under the pseudonym Mark Owen . The book 's publisher said the special operations forces team member did not want to reveal his name to protect himself and his family . But only a day after the New York Times first reported the book was coming out , Fox News reported the author 's real name on its website and posted photos of him in combat gear . SEAL releasing book on bin Laden raid . Later Thursday , the Associated Press also revealed Owen 's real name . When CNN asked Pentagon officials if they could confirm the author 's identity , it was asked not to report his name out of concern for his former colleagues who could still be active . On Thursday , the New York Times said the book 's publisher , Dutton , put out a statement after Owen 's name was revealed . `` Mark Owen , like every SEAL he has served with , has put his life on the line time and again for his country for more than a decade . Sharing the true story of his personal experience in `` No Easy Day '' is a courageous act in the face of obvious risks to his personal security . That personal security is the sole reason the book is being published under a pseudonym . We respectfully request that all news organizations and all Americans consider these facts when deciding whether to pursue or publicize his real identity , '' the statement said . The Pentagon will not say how many news organizations asked the Pentagon about the author 's real name and were asked not to reveal it for security reasons . 'Swift Boat ' attacks on Obama bogus ? A senior Pentagon official said Fox News did not contact the Department of Defense ahead of revealing the author 's name . Fox did not respond to a request for comment . The AP said it was not asked by the Pentagon to withhold the name . The author and the book 's publisher did not answer calls for comment . TV interviews with the author must be put in shadow , and similar interviews for print would not reveal his real identity in order to keep the protection he is seeking , according to news reports . News organizations have been asked to sign a non-disclosure document in order to do the interviews . Pentagon officials told CNN that Owen and the publishing company did not submit the manuscript through the proper Department of Defense channels to check if secret tactics , techniques and procedures were revealed about the 2011 bin Laden mission . `` Mark Owen '' spent more than a decade in the military and left the service last April , Pentagon officials said . If classified military or intelligence information is found to have been revealed in the book , Owen could be charged by the Department of Justice . Former special forces officers slam Obama over leaks on bin Laden killing .
Pentagon , Fox News reveal true name of author who wrote book on Mark Owen '' raid . Pentagon was asked by AP not to reveal SEAL 's identity . Officials concerned that information could jeopardize former colleagues , family . SEAL is now retired after more than 10 years of military service .