Bin Laden take-down leader speaks at UT

Austin (KXAN) - One year later, a lead commander in the mission to kill Osama bin Laden has come back to Austin.

Four-star commander and University of Texas graduate Admiral William McRaven was the keynote speaker at The Champions of Justice Gala. His speech focused on our nation's veterans and the bravery of the men and women in the military fighting over seas.

The special operations commander was responsible for operating and leading the attacks that captured the worlds most notorious terrorist. He also briefed President Obama during the helicopter attacks.

The gala's theme focused on justice for our nation's veterans and was put together by the Texas Access to Justice Commission. Mack Brown, head football coach at The University of Texas introduced the admiral at Tuesday night's events.

"We are very very proud of him from afar, but we are also proud that he is a Longhorn bring him back to Austin," said Brown. 

The 1977 UT graduate received a lot of applause at the event for his success in helping to put and end to the war on terror.

"Your military is doing something about the evil in the world everyday. From the mountains of the Hindu Kush to the valleys of the Helmand River, from the deserts of Africa, to the jungles of Asia, wherever there is a threat to this great nation your military is there." said McRaven.

The gala raised more than $400,000 to help low-income veterans with legal and health issues from injuries suffered while over seas.