Veteran tells his story of Benghazi

It’s been almost 3 years since the Benghazi attack in Libya. Controversial remarks continue to surround decisions made that night. One of the surviving members of the Navy SEAL group that fought that night came to the Idaho Falls Guns and Gear to share his story.

Ryan Later, of Guns and Gear, said, “We came across Kris and met Kris. He’s a great guy with a great story to tell.”

Kris “Tanto” Paranto is a surviving member of the Benghazi firefight.

“In a nutshell, we ended up getting in a firefight and being basically left to our own accord for 13 hours,” Paranto said.

On Sept. 11, 2012, a group of seven CIA contracted veterans left camp, without orders, to save Ambassador Christopher Stevens.

Written by the five surviving member of the team, a book, “13 Hours,” is the account of that night.

“We did save 36 people,” Paranto said. “We did lose two of my teammates, Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty, two former Navy SEALs, were killed by mortars. We also lost Ambassador Stevens and Shawn Smith due to smoke inhalation.”

Politics aside, Paranto believes it’s important for all Americans to know the truth of what happens on the front lines.

“So ’13 Hours’ brings that account to people, and it brings that real world action of what happened by us, the five remaining contractors that are still alive, that were in that firefight that night,” Paranto said.”The good and the bad will always be there, and that’s what is going to keep me up at night a lot.”

The loss of two teammates and misconceptions about what he experienced.

“It’s hard to leave all that behind,” he said.

Paranto challenges everyone to read the book and remember.
“There’s still guys out there willing to fight for your freedom and are willing to die to protect your freedoms, here and abroad,” he said.

“13 Hours” will also be made into a movie. It is set to release January 2016.

Watch the trailer here.