Kris Paronto: Difference between revisions
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==After the CIA== |
==After the CIA== |
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After leaving the CIA, Paronto became a public speaker and author. After the U.S. captured [[Ahmed Abu Khatallah]] for his role in the Benghazi attack and brought him to the U.S., Paronto was critical of the Obama administration's decision to try him before a jury in Federal court. In protest of that decision, Paronto refused to testify at his trial.<ref name="ijr">{{cite news|last1=Charters|first1=Justen|title=After Benghazi Terrorist Is Cleared of Murder — Hero Who Was There Gives Explosive Take on Verdict|url=http://ijr.com/the-declaration/2017/11/1025185-benghazi-terrorist-cleared-murder-hero-gives-explosive-take-verdict/|accessdate=8 December 2017|publisher=IJR|date=28 November 2017}}</ref> |
After leaving the CIA, Paronto became a public speaker and author. After the U.S. captured [[Ahmed Abu Khatallah]] for his role in the Benghazi attack and brought him to the U.S., Paronto was critical of the Obama administration's decision to try him before a jury in Federal court. In protest of that decision, Paronto refused to testify at his trial.<ref name="ijr">{{cite news|last1=Charters|first1=Justen|title=After Benghazi Terrorist Is Cleared of Murder — Hero Who Was There Gives Explosive Take on Verdict|url=http://ijr.com/the-declaration/2017/11/1025185-benghazi-terrorist-cleared-murder-hero-gives-explosive-take-verdict/|accessdate=8 December 2017|publisher=IJR|date=28 November 2017}}</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 23:04, 8 December 2017
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Kris "Tanto" Paronto (born circa 1971) is a former U.S. Army Ranger, CIA security contractor, author and speaker.[1] He is best known for his actions as part of the CIA annex security team during the 2012 terrorist attack on the U.S. Ambassador to Libya Chris Stephens and the CIA compound in Benghazi. He is featured in the book 13 Hours: The Inside Account of What Really Happened in Benghazi and credited as co-author as part of the security team. He was portrayed by Pablo Schreiber in the Michael Bay-directed film.[2] Paronto is also the author of The Ranger Way: Living the Code On and Off the Battlefield.[3]
Early life
Paronto was born in Alamosa, Colorado. His parents were educators and his mother taught his first-grade class. His father was a football coach and athletic director. Paronto played football, baseball and basketball. A football scholarship helped pay for his college degrees which include an associates, bachelor and master degrees.[4]
Military Career
Paronto served four years as an army Ranger followed by four years in the National Guard. He reached the enlisted rank of Sergeant before receiving a commission in 2003.[4]
CIA Security Contractor and Benghazi Attack
Paronto was a CIA private security contractor guarding the Benghazi, Libya CIA annex, during the 2012 Benghazi attack. CIA contractors Tyrone S. Woods and Glen Doherty were killed in the attack along with the U.S. Ambassador to Libya J. Christopher Stevens and U.S. Foreign Service Information Management Officer Sean Smith. After Benghazi, Paronto served as a security contractor in Yemen before leaving the CIA.[5]
After the CIA
After leaving the CIA, Paronto became a public speaker and author. After the U.S. captured Ahmed Abu Khatallah for his role in the Benghazi attack and brought him to the U.S., Paronto was critical of the Obama administration's decision to try him before a jury in Federal court. In protest of that decision, Paronto refused to testify at his trial.[6] Along with MItchell Zuckoff and other members of the Annex Security Team stationed in Benghaz, Paronto helped write the New York Times bestseller 13 Hours That account of events were portrayed in the movie 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi. Paronto also wrote the best-selling[7] self-help reference The Ranger Way: Living the Code On and Off the Battlefield .
References
- ^ "Bio". Retrieved 23 September 2017.
- ^ Lesnick, Silas (February 3, 2015). "Michael Bay's 13 Hours Adds Pablo Schreiber". ComingSoon.net. Retrieved 9 August 2015.
- ^ "Witness of Benghazi attack kicks off Lyceum Series". Victoria Advocate. September 16, 2017.
- ^ a b Notarianni, Alicia (5 November 2017). "Security contractor Kris Paronto to discuss events of Sept. 11, 2012, at local fundraiser". Herald-Mail Media. Retrieved 8 December 2017.
- ^ Inbody, Kristen (6 November 2017). "Former Ranger, survivor of Benghazi siege speaking in Great Falls". Great Falls Tribune. Retrieved 8 December 2017.
- ^ Charters, Justen (28 November 2017). "After Benghazi Terrorist Is Cleared of Murder — Hero Who Was There Gives Explosive Take on Verdict". IJR. Retrieved 8 December 2017.
- ^ "USA TODAY's Best-Selling Books". USA TODAY's Best-Selling Books. USA Today. 06/01/2017. Retrieved 8 December 2017.
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External links
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