Kris Paronto

Kristian Joaquin "Tanto" Paronto (born March 2, 1971) is an American author, businessman, and former U.S. Army Ranger and CIA security contractor.[1] He is known for his actions while part of the CIA annex security team during the 2012 terrorist attack on the U.S. Ambassador to Libya, J. Chris Stevens and the CIA compound in Benghazi. He is featured in the book 13 Hours: The Inside Account of What Really Happened in Benghazi and is credited as a co-author, and is author of the self-help books The Patriot's Creed: Inspiration and Advice for Living a Heroic Life and The Ranger Way: Living the Code On and Off the Battlefield.

Kristian Joaquin Paronto
Paronto in 2016
Born
Kristian Joaquin Paronto

(1971-03-02) March 2, 1971
Alamosa, Colorado, U.S.
EducationDixie College A.S., Mesa State College (B.S.); University of Nebraska at Omaha (graduate)
Occupation(s)Author, businessman
Military career
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branch US Army
Central Intelligence Agency
Years of service1995–2003 (Army)
2003–2013 (CIA)
RankSergeant (Army)
Paramilitary Operations Officer (CIA)
Unit2nd Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment
Battles/wars2012 Benghazi attack
Writing career
Period2012–present
Notable works13 Hours: The Inside Account of What Really Happened In Benghazi
The Ranger Way: Living the Code On and Off the Battlefield

Paronto was portrayed by actor Pablo Schreiber in the film 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi.

Early life and education

Paronto was born in Alamosa, Colorado. His parents were educators and his mother taught his first-grade class. His father James Paronto was a football coach and athletic director.[2] Paronto played football, baseball and basketball. A football scholarship helped pay for his college degrees which include an associates, bachelor's and master's degrees.[3]

Military career

Paronto served four years as an Army Ranger[4] followed by four years in the Army National Guard. He reached the enlisted rank of Sergeant before receiving a commission in 2003.[3]

Benghazi attack
Main article: 2012 Benghazi attack

Paronto was a CIA private security contractor guarding the Benghazi, Libya CIA annex, during the 2012 Benghazi attack.[5][6] 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 Specialist Sean Smith. After Benghazi, Paronto served as a security contractor in Yemen before leaving the CIA.[7]

Writing and Speaking career

Following his exit from the CIA, Paronto became an author and public speaker. 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 decision made by the Obama administration to have him tried before a jury in Federal court. In protest of that decision, Paronto refused to testify at his trial.[8] Along with Mitchell Zuckoff and other members of the Annex Security Team stationed in Benghazi, Paronto co-wrote the book 13 Hours: The Inside Account of What Really Happened In Benghazi.[9][10] The book was the basis for the Michael Bay-directed film 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi.[11]

In 2017, Paronto released his second book, The Ranger Way: Living the Code On and Off the Battlefield, a self-help book and survival guide based on Paronto's military experiences.

Other media

Paronto hosted the pilot episode of War Heroes, a documentary series about American military personnel, produced by Fox Trail Productions.

In November 2019, Paronto launched Battleline Podcast [12] with Ian Scotto which has continued since.

Charitable work

Paronto is co-founder of the 14th Hour Foundation,[13] a non-profit organization "committed to raising and dispersing funds to help the lives and futures of Veterans, Military Contractor Personnel, and First Responders who have served and sacrificed to protect the American Homeland."

Paronto is the owner and lead instructor of Battleline Tactical.[14]

Bibliography
  • The Patriot's Creed: Inspiration and Advice for Living a Heroic Life[4]
  • The Ranger Way: Living the Code On and Off the Battlefield, ISBN 1478948205, ISBN 1478948183, 2017
  • 13 Hours: The Inside Account of What Really Happened In Benghazi, ISBN 1455582271, 2014

References
  1. "Bio". Retrieved September 23, 2017.
  2. Rohman, Katie (June 5, 2015). "Paronto shares stories of Benghazi, life battles". Washington County Enterprise and Pilot Tribune. Retrieved May 23, 2018.
  3. Notarianni, Alicia (November 5, 2017). "Security contractor Kris Paronto to discuss events of Sept. 11, 2012, at local fundraiser". Herald-Mail Media. Retrieved December 8, 2017.
  4. Paronto, Kris "Tanto". "Kris "Tanto" Paronto". Kris "Tanto" Paronto. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
  5. "Talk by Benghazi veteran stirs social media protest". Victoria Advocate. September 23, 2017. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  6. Brown, Ben (April 5, 2017). "Benghazi Hero Kris "Tanto" Paronto: Susan Rice is a Pathological Liar". Fox Business. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  7. Inbody, Kristen (November 6, 2017). "Former Ranger, survivor of Benghazi siege speaking in Great Falls". Great Falls Tribune. Retrieved December 8, 2017.
  8. Charters, Justen (November 28, 2017). "After Benghazi Terrorist Is Cleared of Murder — Hero Who Was There Gives Explosive Take on Verdict". IJR. Retrieved December 8, 2017.
  9. "Omahan in Benghazi in 2012 faults CIA station chief's stand-down order". Omaha.com. September 8, 2014. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  10. "Omahan on Benghazi team is happy with '13 Hours' film, which is based on book he co-wrote". Omaha.com. January 11, 2016. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  11. Lesnick, Silas (February 3, 2015). "Michael Bay's 13 Hours Adds Pablo Schreiber". ComingSoon.net. Retrieved August 9, 2015.
  12. Paronto, Kris "Tanto". "Kris "Tanto" Paronto". Kris "Tanto" Paronto. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
  13. "Home | 14th Hour Foundation". Home | 14th Hour Foundation. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
  14. Paronto, Kris "Tanto". "Kris "Tanto" Paronto". Kris "Tanto" Paronto. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
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