Kris "Tanto" Paronto is an American author, businessman, and former U.S. Army Ranger and CIA security contractor. He is known for his heroic actions while part of the CIA annex security team during the 2012 terrorist attack on the U.S. Ambassador to Libya, Chris Stephens 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 "."