To Honor the Four Monument, Bigfork, Montana
Patriot Day Memorial Ceremony, September 11, 2016
Remarks by John “Tig” Tiegen
Member, CIA Annex Security Team, Benghazi, Libya
Citizens and Patriots of Bigfork, Montana:
Thank you all for being here on Patriot Day to honor the four American heroes who perished in Benghazi, Libya, on September 11-12, 2012, the fourth anniversary of their ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. It is for this reason that I was invited to share my thoughts with you. My remarks today commemorate the courage, patriotism, and valor of these great Americans — Libyan Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens; IT Specialist and Air Force Staff Sergeant Sean Smith; US Navy SEAL Senior Chief Petty Officer Tyrone S. Woods; and US Navy SEAL Special Operator HM1 Glen A. Doherty.
As we stand here today, the air is clear and crisp, but two years ago on a snowy December day, Oz, Tanto, and I, members of the 2012 security team that had served in Benghazi, stood here with Doug Averill, viewing this beautiful monument for the first time – a monument we did not even know existed. We were awestruck at what Doug and Bill Thomas, as private citizens, had accomplished in creating such a fitting and powerful memorial to these four Heroes. It will stand here for posterity—for your children and grandchildren to visit — and to be told the story of American courage displayed in the Battle of Benghazi. It is a powerful symbol of the commitment that 21st Century American Patriots displayed in service to and in defense of our nation.
However, as we reflect on Benghazi, we need to remember the first 9-11 and its significance in American history. On that date there were also many acts of bravery and remarkable courage shown by civilians, military, fire, and law enforcement personnel. Little could I imagine that exactly 11 years after the first 9-11, I would find myself half-way around the world in a terrorist attack, battling through a burning inferno, heavy artillery fire, mortars, and in a fight for my life and the lives of 25 others. By now, you are no doubt familiar with the story of that battle as depicted in our book, 13 Hours, that also became a movie last January. On the night of September 11, 2012, every member of our 6-man security team chose to rush towards the danger of the unknown in defense of those we had sworn to protect. Our team willingly and unflinchingly moved into harm’s way knowing that Americans would die if we did not. To a man, we were committed to a common cause, and because of that singular commitment to protect, countless others were given a chance to return to their families.
What happened that night was real, and it required every bit of our physical and mental strength, military experience, team effort, and will to survive and protect. Without fail, to a man, we chose to run towards the attack, not knowing what we would encounter, which proved to be surreal confusion, chaos, and constant threat to us and the other security personnel. During those hours of chaos and danger, our team fought like lions to protect the lives we had sworn to defend.
In spite of our efforts, we lost Ambassador Stevens, even though we left nothing undone in trying to locate him. With the fire, the smoke, the dark, and the chaos of the raging battle, it was not meant to be. Sean Smith, a 10-year veteran of the United States Air Force, a husband and father of two, and a highly respected computer specialist and IT assistant for the Ambassador also perished at the mission. Then, after surviving that hellish night, early on the morning of the 12th as the sun rose, Tyrone Woods, gave his all, sacrificing his life on that rooftop, fighting like the warrior he was but succumbing to a mortar attack. Glen Doherty, who had flown his GRS team in from Tripoli that morning, and who after arriving at the Annex about 4:30 a.m., climbed the ladder to the roof in what was to be his last act of loyalty to his friend, and perished next to Tyrone, his brother-in-arms. It was the special friendship forged during their SEAL careers that brought them both to Libya as contractors where they did not know that they would fight their last battle together. As SEALs and as CIA operators, they lived a unique creed every day of their lives even unto death: never quit, never give up, be willing to give your life for others. Every day since that morning on the roof, I honor my brothers-in-arms, Glen and Tyrone, for their fighting spirit and will never forget their actions in Benghazi.
On this 15th Anniversary of Patriot Day, 2001, and the 4th Anniversary of the Battle of Benghazi, as Americans we need to remember not only the extraordinary courage of these four men that night, but to show our gratitude by remembering all those who keep us safe, especially those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. In closing, we owe special appreciation to Doug Averill and Bill Thomas for their selfless effort in placing such a powerful memorial on this hallowed ground where we, as Americans and patriots, can always come to pay special tribute to Christopher Stevens, Sean Smith, Tyrone Woods, and Glen Doherty, heroes of the Battle of Benghazi.
Thank you. Semper fi!
