13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi - The Real Story
Introduction
"13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi" is a 2016 American biographical war film directed by Michael Bay. The movie is based on the 2013 book "13 Hours" by Mitchell Zuckoff, which tells the true story of the 2012 Benghazi attack. The film stars John Krasinski, James Badge Dale, and Pablo Schreiber as the members of the Annex Security Team, a group of CIA contractors who fought to defend the American diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya.
The Real Story
On September 11, 2012, a group of Islamist militants attacked the American diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya, killing four Americans, including Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens. The attack was a coordinated assault that began with a protest at the compound's main gate, which was followed by a mortar attack on the CIA annex, a nearby facility that housed a team of CIA contractors.
The CIA contractors, who were former Navy SEALs and Army Rangers, were part of the Annex Security Team, a group of security personnel hired by the CIA to provide security for the compound. The team was led by Tyrone "Rone" Woods, a former Navy SEAL, and included Jack Silva, Mark "Oz" Geist, John "Tig" Tiegen, and Kris "Tanto" Paronto, among others.
As the attack unfolded, the contractors received a distress call from the compound and rushed to the scene to provide support. Despite being vastly outnumbered and outgunned, the contractors fought bravely, engaging the attackers and trying to evacuate the wounded. However, they were eventually forced to retreat to the CIA annex, where they continued to fight off the attackers until morning.
The Heroes
Tyrone "Rone" Woods
Tyrone Woods was a former Navy SEAL who was working as a CIA contractor at the time of the attack. He was a highly decorated veteran who had served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Woods was one of the first to respond to the attack and was killed during the fighting.
Jack Silva
Jack Silva was a former Navy SEAL who was also working as a CIA contractor. He was part of the team that responded to the attack and was wounded during the fighting.
Mark "Oz" Geist
Mark Geist was a former Marine who was working as a CIA contractor. He was part of the team that responded to the attack and was wounded during the fighting.
John "Tig" Tiegen
John Tiegen was a former Marine who was working as a CIA contractor. He was part of the team that responded to the attack and was wounded during the fighting.
Kris "Tanto" Paronto
Kris Paronto was a former Army Ranger who was working as a CIA contractor. He was part of the team that responded to the attack and was wounded during the fighting.
The Investigation
The attack on the Benghazi compound and the CIA annex was widely condemned, and an investigation was launched into the events surrounding the attack. The investigation, led by the House Select Committee on Benghazi, concluded that the attack was a preventable tragedy and that the Obama administration had failed to provide adequate security to the compound.
Conclusion
The story of the 13 hours in Benghazi is a testament to the bravery and heroism of the CIA contractors who fought to defend the American diplomatic compound. Despite being vastly outnumbered and outgunned, they fought bravely, and their actions saved countless lives. The attack on Benghazi will always be remembered as a tragic event, but it will also be remembered as a testament to the courage and sacrifice of those who served in harm's way.
