Logo for HistoryGap

Characters Characters

Jack Silva

Historic
Newest GRS team member

Jack Silva is based on a real GRS operator. The movie portrays his experience as a member of the security team during the Benghazi attack.

Tyrone "Rone" Woods

Historic
GRS team leader

Tyrone Woods was a real former Navy SEAL and GRS operator. The film accurately depicts his role in leading the defense of the Annex.

Kris "Tanto" Paronto

Historic
GRS team member

Kris Paronto is a real former Army Ranger and GRS operator. The film portrays his involvement in the events of the Benghazi attack.

Mark "Oz" Geist

Historic
GRS team member

Mark Geist is a real former Marine and GRS operator. The film accurately depicts his participation in the defense of the Annex.

John "Tig" Tiegen

Historic
GRS team member

John Tiegen is a real former Marine and GRS operator. The film accurately portrays his actions during the Benghazi attack.

Dave "Boon" Benton

Historic
GRS team member, sniper

Dave Benton is a real former Marine Scout Sniper and GRS operator. The film correctly shows his role as a sniper during the events.

More characters

J. Christopher Stevens

Historic
U.S. Ambassador to Libya

Ambassador Stevens was a real historical figure. The film accurately portrays his presence in Benghazi and his tragic death during the attack.

Glen "Bub" Doherty

Historic
GRS Operator

Glen "Bub" Doherty was a real former Navy Seal and GRS operator. The film accurately portrays his arrival as part of the reinforcement team, and his death during the attack.

Bob

Partly historic
CIA Chief-of-Station

While the CIA Chief of Station is a real position, the "Bob" character is a composite. The film's portrayal of his decisions and actions has been a source of some controversy.

Story Story

Attack on U.S. compound

True

On September 11, 2012, militants attacked the U.S. diplomatic compound and a nearby CIA annex in Benghazi, Libya. This is the basis of the film.

Six-man security team

True

A small team of private security contractors defended the CIA annex, as depicted in the film.

Initial attack repelled

Partly true

The contractors did repel the initial attack on the diplomatic compound, but the film may exaggerate their success and downplay the Libyan guards' role.

Ambassador Stevens' death

True

Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens died during the attack. The film portrays his death, though the exact circumstances remain unclear.

CIA annex under siege

True

The CIA annex was indeed besieged by militants for hours, with intense firefights.

Mortar attack on the annex

True

A mortar attack on the annex killed two contractors, Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty, as shown in the film.

Stand down' order

Disputed

The film depicts a CIA officer delaying the contractors' response to the initial attack. Whether a 'stand down' order was given is highly controversial and debated.

Lack of military support

Partly true

While requests for military support were made, the response was delayed. The reasons for the delay remain a point of contention.

Contractors' heroism emphasized

Partly true

While the contractors undoubtedly acted bravely, the film arguably focuses on their actions at the expense of the broader context and other individuals involved.

Depiction of the attackers

Average depiction

The attackers are portrayed as generic militants. The film doesn't delve deeply into their motivations or affiliations, which were complex in reality.

Setting Setting

Political context downplayed

Omission

The film focuses on the immediate events of the attack and largely avoids delving into the broader political context in Libya at the time.

 Overall

Overall historical accuracy

Largely true

13 Hours' captures the intensity of the attack and the heroism of the contractors, but it also simplifies some aspects and takes a stance on disputed events, making its overall accuracy debatable.