13 Hours Movie vs. True Story of Benghazi Attack and Controversy (2024)

Starring John Krasinski, James Badge Dale, Pablo Schreiber | based on the book '13 Hours' by Mitchell Zuckoff

By Kevin Lang | Published January 14, 2016

THE CAST VS. REAL LIFE

At the time, we didn’t know if anybody was dead–obviously there was somebody alive because they were on the radio. That’s the only thing we’re thinking is we’ve got to get over there. They’re powerless right now.

-John 'Tig' Tiegen, Breitbart, September 2014

Yes. In researching the 13 Hours true story, we discovered that John Krasinski's character was indeed based on a real person, a Navy SEAL whose name was changed for the book and movie to protect his identity. "The responsibility of getting this story right was the highest priority for all of us," says Krasinski, who was previously known for his role in the TV comedy The Office, "and because it's such a politicized issue and because it's such an intense story, the only way to do it is to go right to the source, so getting all that information for him and getting to know him was the most important thing. ... 'Jack' was a true gentleman who told me, 'Ask any questions, because I want to get this story out, and I want it told right.' That was a powerful engine."

To help transform himself for the role, Krasinski worked out with the same personal trainer who helped bulk up Bradley Cooper for American Sniper, another combat film we researched. -USA Today

The identity of the real Jack Da Silva is not known. The former Navy SEAL is portrayed by John Krasinski in the 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi movie.

Yes. Despite the personnel at the U.S. diplomatic compound phoning and pleading for help, a fact-check confirms that the CIA security contractors were told to stand down. "We jumped up and got ready to go," says former Army Ranger Kris Paronto. "We were ready to go within five minutes." Fellow annex security team member Mark Geist, a former Marine, says that the CIA station chief, who is referred to as "Bob" in the book and movie, kept the men from responding for "almost 30 minutes." Eventually, they left without getting the okay. -The O'Reilly Factor

"It happened that night," says Paronto. "It happened. We were told to wait and stand down. We were delayed three times." How far up the ladder the order came from has been the subject of debate (a controversial congressional inquiry later concluded that no stand-down order was ever issued, despite the men who were there stating otherwise). -Special Report with Bret Baier

During our investigation into the 13 Hours true story, we learned that the identity of "Bob" has remained concealed for safety reasons. "Wish we could put that out there," says former Global Response Staff (GRS) member Kris Paronto. "Whether we'd like to or not, it's still a safety issue. For his safety." -The O'Reilly Factor

The station chief, referred to as "Bob" in the 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi movie, gave the order to stand down, which the GRS operatives eventually defied, saving as many as 30 lives.

Yes. As they were leaving for the main compound, Kris 'Tanto' Paronto, says that he requested support. "After I was leavin', I said, 'Well, get us an ISR,' which is a UAV, a drone, 'and get us a spectre gunship.'" The drone would have given them "eyes on" and the AC 130 gunship would have provided them with support in the way of firepower.

"I was expecting at least some kind of air support," says former Marine Sergeant John 'Tig' Tiegen, "even if it was just a fly-over by a jet or whatever." -Special Report with Bret Baier

Yes, and as the GRS operators have indicated, the decision likely saved 30 lives. "We were never given the OK to go," says Kris Paronto. "That final straw for us to go, at least it's my opinion and how I felt, was when one of the DS agents said, 'Hey, they're starting to light the buildings on fire. You guys need to get here.'" -Special Report with Bret Baier

A U.S. consulate building in Benghazi, Libya burns as a result of the attack on the night of September 11, 2012.

The death of Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens is still plagued by controversy. It appears that Stevens got separated from Diplomat Sean Smith and DS Agent Scott Wickland inside the main consulate building after an attacker's rocket-propelled grenade started a fire. The smoke made it hard to see each other. Overcome by smoke inhalation, Libyans supposedly found Stevens unresponsive and clinging to life inside one of the rooms. According to some reports, Libyan civilians carried Stevens from the room, put him in a private car and rushed him to the hospital, where he passed away from severe asphyxia from smoke. -HuffingtonPost.com

Then Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (left) is pictured with Ambassador Chris Stevens (right), who lost his life during the attack on the American diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya. Photo: State Department

Yes, like in the 13 hours movie, Tyrone 'Rone' Woods and Glen 'Bub' Doherty were on the roof of a CIA annex building along with fellow members of their team. They were protecting it from waves of militants who were approaching through a field nicknamed Zombieland. After five hours, the fighting paused and mortars suddenly began to fall around the men, hitting Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty. "I thought they were vaporized in front of my eyes," says Kris Paronto. "My heart dropped. We've just lost half our team." Mark 'Oz' Geist's left arm was almost completely blown apart, but he kept shooting. At dawn, friendly Libyan forces rolled up in 50 armored vehicles. -MensJournal.com

Tyrone 'Rone' Woods (left) was fatally wounded by a mortar blast while defending the CIA annex. James Badge Dale (right) portrays Woods in the 13 Hours movie.