A Western Slope native turned CIA worker who found himself trapped in an American diplomatic compound in Benghazi while it was under attack by Islamic militants in 2012 said the highly politicized incident was really about heroism.
Kris “Tanto” Paronto, who grew up in Alamosa and Grand Junction, was one of six American security operators contracted by the CIA to protect its officials in the North African country of Liberia. Paronto served four years in the U.S. Army and another four years in the U.S. National Guard before becoming a CIA contract worker.
He spoke about his experience Tuesday evening at a community event sponsored by the La Plata County Republican Central Committee at Fort Lewis College.
On Sept. 11, 2012, a group of armed Islamic militants mounted an attack on a U.S. State Department Special Mission Compound and a nearby CIA station called the Annex.
Paronto, speaking to The Durango Herald before his talk, said he and his security team, against direct orders, rushed to the building to fight the militants and protect Americans. The team was stationed in a nearby compound, tasked only with protecting CIA officials.
“We disobeyed orders, but we saw the attack and responded,” Paronto said. “We knew we were going to lose our jobs, and if we died, our families wouldn’t get any benefits. But you can’t put a price on being able to live with yourself. It was the right thing to do.”
For the next 13 hours, Paronto and others fought off between 125 and 150 Islamic militants, saving the lives of 30 Americans stationed in the Annex. Still, four Americans – two of whom were part of Paronto’s team – died that night.
“We were lucky to get out that night,” Paronto said.
Paronto said he steers away from the highly politicized nature of the attack and instead focuses on the heroism.
“People miss the heroism that took place,” he said. “Thirty people are alive because of the sacrifices made that night. If people just listen to the media, they miss that. The fact is, guys sacrificed their lives, and it should be inspirational.”
Paronto, now 45, was forced to resign shortly after the 2012 Benghazi attack. Since then, he and his surviving comrades teamed with New York Times writer Mitchell Zuckoff to publish a book – 13 Hours in Benghazi – detailing their experience.
The book was recently made into a movie, “13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi,” which was directed by Michael Bay and released in January.
Paronto said he gives speeches about the event to honor his fallen team members. When the book and movie tour is over, he’ll look for new work, he said.
“We’re very blessed to have the project come out,” he said.
jromeo@durangoherald.com
