I AM GRATEFUL for many colleagues and friends that I can’t name, both in the 75th Ranger Regiment and in other parts of the military and contracting world. They don’t always get the recognition they deserve. My great friend and fellow contractor John Borg kept me sane on long deployments away from home and then after my return home after the events of September 11, 2012. I wouldn’t be on this earth without his support and continued friendship.
Tom Block, Scott Gearen, Rob Jaber, Israel Matos, and Ben Morgan allowed me to share some of the toughest parts of their lives in these pages. Cheryl Doltz and the entire Doltz family opened their home to me and shared Ryan’s story. James Ryan generously shared his memories of Alwyn Cashe and helped me to understand his extraordinary story. I hope that readers find their stories inspiring. Ben Morgan also provided thoughtful counsel in helping me think through and organize this project, and Melissa Moore helped me execute it.
Thank you to Kate Hartson, Thomas Watkins, the entire team at Hachette, and to Richard Abate and Rachel Kim at 3Arts for their continued interest and support. I’m grateful to Mitchell Zuckoff, our coauthor on 13 Hours, for getting me started on the writing path.
My family has been a blessing. I’m lucky to have the support of my brother, Mike, and my sister, Jamie, and our parents, Rita and Jim Paronto. The memory and example of my grandparents, Joaquin and Rose Garcia, still guides us all.
My beautiful wife, Tanya, is my best motivation to keep coming back to my values, and our three wonderful children are the best of me. I am grateful to all of them.