Kris "Tanto" Paronto | Inspiring Hero of the 2012 Benghazi Attack & Subject of the Book and Major Motion Picture, 13 Hours

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Kris "Tanto" Paronto

Inspiring Hero of the 2012 Benghazi Attack & Subject of the Book and Major Motion Picture, 13 Hours

Fee Range
$15,000
Travels From
KS, US

Kris "Tanto" Paronto
Biography

Kris Paronto offers a firsthand account of what really happened on the ground during the 2012 Benghazi attack, coupled with insights on what America and the world can learn from that day.

Kris, or “Tanto,” as he is known in security contracting circles, is a former Army Ranger from the 2nd Battalion 75th Ranger Regiment and private security contractor. He also worked with the U.S. government’s Global Response Staff, conducting low profile security in high threat environments throughout the world.

Kris was part of the CIA annex security team that responded to the terrorist attack on the U.S. Special Mission in Benghazi, Libya on September 11, 2012, helping to save over 20 lives while fighting off terrorists for over 13 hours. His story is told in the book 13 Hours, and in the major motion picture of the same name. Today, he is a security and military consultant and founder of the 14th Hour Foundation, a nonprofit created to help military veterans, first responders, government security contractors, their families and other foundations with grants to assist in everything from mortgage payments, everyday bills and tuition. 

Bringing valor, compassion, and authenticity to the stage, Kris shares the unforgettable story of the brave individuals who fought back during the Battle of Benghazi and risked their lives for the greater good of the world, along with key takeaways on leadership and teamwork that can be applied in any environment.

In his latest book, The Patriot's Creed: Inspiration and Advice for Living a Heroic Life (October 2019), Kris reveals the values and creed shared by special forces for self-improvement and living a purposeful life.

Kris "Tanto" Paronto
Featured Videos

Current: 2026 Speaking Reel

Time 02:06

More Videos From Kris "Tanto" Paronto

2026 Speaking Reel
Time 02:06
13 Hours The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi Official Trailer
Time 02:47
13 Hours The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi The Men Who Lived It Featurette Paramount Pictures
Time 03:03
FOX News The Kelly File interview
Time 17:50

Kris "Tanto" Paronto
Featured Keynote Programs

Crucible of Crisis
Resilience in the Face of Adversity

Sharing lessons learned from the attacks in Benghazi and other deployments in some of the most hostile environments around the world, retired US Army Ranger Kris Paronto provides insight on how to persevere, lead, stay focused, and make strategic decisions in the midst of chaos and severe trials. From the combat field to business environment, Kris shares why effective collaboration, preparation, accountability and training of the mind and body puts us in a better position to turn adversity into opportunity and establish a “Never Quit!” mentality.
 

Values In Action

Using examples from deployments in Benghazi, Iraq, Afghanistan and other hostile environments, US Army Ranger Kris Paronto provides insight on how values and faith can help refine our character while overcoming doubts and fears. Sharing from his own personal journey of faith, Kris equips people with tools to overcome adversity in their own battles and how God brought him through the toughest fight of his life.

Kris "Tanto" Paronto
Featured Books

13 Hours: The Inside Account of What Really Happened In Benghaziby Kris "Tanto" Paronto

13 Hours: The Inside Account of What Really Happened In Benghazi

by Kris "Tanto" Paronto
The harrowing, true account from the brave men on the ground who fought back during the Battle of Benghazi. This book presents, for the first time ever, the true account of the events of September 11, 2012, when terrorists attacked the US State Department Special Mission Compound and a nearby CIA station called the Annex in Benghazi, Libya. A team of six American security operators fought to repel the attackers and protect the Americans stationed there. Those men went beyond the call of duty, performing extraordinary acts of courage and heroism, to avert tragedy on a much larger scale. This is their personal account, never before told, of what happened during the thirteen hours of that now-infamous attack. This book sets the record straight on what happened during a night that has been shrouded in mystery and controversy. Written by a New York Times bestselling author this riveting book takes readers into the action-packed story of heroes who laid their lives on the line for one another, for their countrymen, and for their country. It is a stunning, eye-opening, and intense book, but most importantly, it is the truth. The story of what happened to these men, and what they accomplished, is unforgettable.-- Provided by publisher.
The Patriot's Creed: Inspiration and Advice for Living a Heroic Lifeby Kris "Tanto" Paronto

The Patriot's Creed: Inspiration and Advice for Living a Heroic Life

by Kris "Tanto" Paronto

Army Ranger and bestselling author Kris Paronto reveals the values and creed shared by special forces for self-improvement and living a purposeful life.
When Kris Paronto began talking with civilians about his experiences fighting the terrorist attack on the US State Department Special Mission Compound in Benghazi, Libya on September 11, 2012, he was surprised at how often people told him that the story of his extraordinary battle gave them courage to face tough times in their everyday lives. "The odds were stacked against us that night but the truth is that we refused to quit and we beat them with faith, teamwork, and the principles that were first instilled in me when I joined the Army. You can find those in the Rangers Creed and the Army Values," he says, "and you don't have to be a Special Operations soldier to use them."
In The Patriot's Creed, Kris Paronto uses the seven core Army Values that all soldiers learn in Basic Combat Training, and the experiences of other servicemen and women and First Responders, to explain how anyone can improve themselves, the world around them, and live a heroic life. The stakes are dramatic for the brave men and women who put their lives on the line to fight for America, and too many of their acts of courage and honor are unknown. The examples of their persistence and discipline will be inspiring to anyone facing seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
At a time of national polarization, Kris Paronto draws attention to values all readers can share and use, and to the honor, integrity and courage of true patriots who have gone to great lengths to protect and serve. They embody the best of us and make Kris Paronto proud to be an American soldier.

The Ranger Way: Living the Code On and Off the Battlefieldby Kris "Tanto" Paronto

The Ranger Way: Living the Code On and Off the Battlefield

by Kris "Tanto" Paronto

Discover the USA Today bestselling self-help memoir from a former Army Ranger, a hero of the 2012 Benghazi siege, and the subject of the book and movie 13 Hours, as he shares life-changing lessons of discipline, motivation, success, and peace.

Thousands of people have heard Kris "Tanto" Paronto speak about his experiences in Benghazi on September 11, 2012. But before he was a security contractor, Tanto was a US Army Ranger from 2nd Battalion 75th Ranger Regiment. In The Ranger Way, Tanto shares stories from his training experiences that played a role in his team's heroic response in Benghazi on September 11, 2012. Being a Ranger is, by design, not for everyone, but anyone can use the expectations and techniques of Ranger culture to achieve personal victory. Tanto shows you how to define your mission, set goals that are in alignment with your values, and develop a battle plan that will maximize your chances of success. You will learn why you should never quit and why that is different from never failing. Tanto uses his experiences in Basic and Ranger Training to explore how to deal with mistakes and disappointment like a leader, accept responsibility, and turn every obstacle into an opportunity for growth. You will learn why service and sacrifice will help you succeed-and how the power of humility, strength, faith, and brotherhood will sustain you on the road to accomplishing your mission.

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