“Ken’s years of service to his country and community is an example of what a true National Hero should be. Dedicated to his assigned posts and love of country carried him through the toughest challenge he would never expect. This is a true story of an American Legend.”

Since the 1979 fall of the Shah, U.S.–Iran relations have been marked by distrust, ideological conflict, and escalating tensions over nuclear threats and terrorism. Few can speak to the origins of this crisis with more authority than USMC Sgt. Ken Kraus, the first Marine taken hostage during the Iranian Hostage Crisis.

Author of the gripping memoir A Marine Endures Hell, Sgt. Kraus was kidnapped during the U.S. Embassy takeover in Tehran, tortured, and sentenced to death after a sham trial. Taken in exchange for 20 civilians, he spent eight days enduring unimaginable brutality before being released just moments before his scheduled execution.

His story is more than survival—it’s a rare, unfiltered glimpse into the birth of radicalization and the regime that continues to challenge U.S. security today. With lived experience and deep insight, Sgt. Kraus sheds light on Iran’s past, its political motivations, and what it all means for America’s future.

Whether addressing military audiences, civilians, students, or corporate leaders, Sgt. Kraus’s unforgettable lecture brings history to life through a voice defined by courage, patriotism, and powerful truth.