Kristian Joaquin Paronto | |
|---|---|
 Paronto in 2016 | |
| Born | Kristian Joaquin Paronto March 2, 1971 Alamosa, Colorado, U.S. |
| Education | Dixie College A.S., Mesa State College (B.S.); University of Nebraska at Omaha (graduate) |
| Occupation(s) | Author, businessman |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ |  US Army Central Intelligence Agency |
| Years of service | 1995–2003 (Army) 2003–2013 (CIA) |
| Rank | sergeant (Army) |
| Unit | 2nd Ranger Battalion |
| Battles/wars | 2012 Benghazi attack |
| Writing career | |
| Period | 2012–present |
| Notable works | 13 Hours: The Inside Account of What Really Happened In Benghazi The Ranger Way: Living the Code On and Off the Battlefield |
Kristian Joaquin "Tanto" Paronto (born 2 March 1971) is an American author, businessman, and former 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.
Paronto was portrayed by actor Pablo Schreiber in the film 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi.