The Tragic Reality of Benghazi: How Many Soldiers Survived?
On September 11, 2012, a devastating terrorist attack occurred in Benghazi, Libya, resulting in the deaths of four American soldiers. The attack on the United States diplomatic compound in Benghazi was a turning point in the country’s political landscape and raised questions about the safety of American diplomats and military personnel stationed overseas. In this article, we will delve into the tragic events of that fateful night and answer the question: how many soldiers survived Benghazi?
What Happened in Benghazi?
On the evening of September 11, 2012, a mob of approximately 20 to 30 attackers, consisting of Libyan extremists and Ansar al-Sharia militiamen, launched a coordinated assault on the U.S. diplomatic compound in Benghazi. The attackers set fire to the compound, destroyed the security cameras, and overpowered the compound’s security personnel. Despite being outnumbered and outgunned, the brave men and women who worked at the compound, including Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens, fought valiantly to defend themselves and the compound.
The Losses
The attack resulted in the tragic loss of four American lives:
- Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens: The 52-year-old diplomat, who was the U.S. Ambassador to Libya at the time, died of smoke inhalation and other injuries while trying to escape the burning compound.
- Sean Smith: A 34-year-old Foreign Service officer, who was an information management officer at the U.S. Embassy in Tripoli. He died from smoke inhalation and a head wound.
- Tyrone Woods: A 41-year-old ex-Navy SEAL and former member of SEAL Team 6, who was a security officer at the U.S. diplomatic compound in Benghazi. He was struck by multiple bullets and later died from his wounds.
- Glen Doherty: A 42-year-old former Navy SEAL and CIA contractor, who was a security officer at the U.S. diplomatic compound in Benghazi. He was killed in the attack.
Survivors
Despite the high number of casualties, 11 Americans survived the Benghazi attack. These brave men and women were either present at the compound during the attack or were in nearby locations. Some of them were able to escape with minor injuries, while others were forced to fight off the attackers.
Here are the names of the surviving Americans:
- Glenn Krenzler: A U.S. State Department employee who was working at the diplomatic compound.
- Chris Dorner: A former Army Ranger and CIA contractor who was in Benghazi on business.
- Dave Ubben: A U.S. State Department employee who was working at the diplomatic compound.
- Gregory D. Hicks: The deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Tripoli.
- Mark Thompson: A former Marine Corps combat pilot who was working as a contractor in Benghazi.
- Jonas Panik: A former Navy SEAL and CIA contractor who was working as a security officer in Benghazi.
- Thomas Smith: A U.S. State Department employee who was working at the diplomatic compound.
- Robert Gibson: A U.S. State Department employee who was working at the diplomatic compound.
- Toby Caan: A U.S. State Department employee who was working at the diplomatic compound.
- Brian Anderson: A U.S. State Department employee who was working at the diplomatic compound.
- Eric Nordstrom: The regional security officer at the U.S. Embassy in Tripoli.
Investigation and Controversy
The attack on the U.S. diplomatic compound in Benghazi led to a political firestorm in the United States. Many Republicans and some Democrats called for a thorough investigation into the events surrounding the attack, while others criticized the Obama administration for not providing adequate security for American personnel in Benghazi.
In May 2014, the House Intelligence Committee released a report on the attack, which concluded that the incident was a "coordinated terrorist attack" carried out by Ansar al-Sharia and other Libyan groups. The report also faulted the State Department and the CIA for inadequate security measures and for failing to provide timely and accurate information to the public.
Key Findings
Here are some key findings from the House Intelligence Committee report:
• Security was inadequate: The report found that the security measures in place at the diplomatic compound were insufficient to protect against a coordinated terrorist attack.
• Intelligence was flawed: The report concluded that U.S. intelligence agencies did not provide accurate or timely information about the potential threats in Benghazi.
• CIA was aware of threats: The report revealed that the CIA had intelligence indicating that there were specific threats against the U.S. diplomatic compound in Benghazi, but that information was not shared with other government agencies.
• Military response was delayed: The report found that the U.S. military response to the attack was delayed, which allowed the attackers to escape and caused additional damage to the compound.
Conclusion
The attack on the U.S. diplomatic compound in Benghazi was a tragic and devastating event that resulted in the loss of four American lives. Despite the chaos and destruction caused by the attack, 11 brave Americans survived, including several who fought off the attackers and protected others. The investigation into the attack has revealed serious failures in security, intelligence, and communication, and has led to calls for increased accountability and transparency in government.
