Jeremy K. Torrisi

LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION  honoring Chief Petty Officer Jeremy K. Torrisi upon the occasion of receiving the Silver Star Medal

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and commend those illustrious individuals of distinguished purpose whose lives have been committed to the pursuit of excellence and who bring great pride to the citizens of our great State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, it is the intent of this Legislative Body to honor Chief Petty Officer Jeremy K. Torrisi of the 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion upon the occasion of receiving the Silver Star Medal for his heroic actions while serving the United States in Afghanistan; and

WHEREAS, Jeremy Torrisi, son of Francine and Robert Torrisi, graduated from West Genesee Senior High School in Camillus, New York, in 1994; following his graduation, he enlisted in the United States Armed Services, and has served his country proudly and honorably for the past 16 years; and

WHEREAS, As a hospital corpsman with the United States Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command, Chief Petty Officer Torrisi, was on his third deployment to Afghanistan when he and his team became involved in a fire fight on June 26, 2008; and

WHEREAS, On June 26, 2008, two Marine Special Operations Teams with 2nd Marine Special Operation Battalion, MARSOC, and Afghan National Army soldiers were sent on a mission to locate a high value target in the Afghan Mountains; the teams came to a draw where they were surrounded by mountains on each side, where they encountered two abandoned cars in a cave system; and

WHEREAS, The teams followed procedure to ensure the vehicles were not rigged to explode, which they were not and then a hail of gunfire came down on them; the rear vehicle of the teams laid down cover fire in hopes the team in the forward vehicle, who were further on the ground, had time to take cover; and

WHEREAS, However, with the enemy positions difficult to locate and enemy fire that was deadly accurate, the forward vehicle continued to face heavy fire and mounting injuries; a Sergeant with the forward team ordered that no one else was to enter further into the draw because of the danger that was being faced; and

WHEREAS, Jeremy Torrisi was in another vehicle heading toward the action to provide additional support, but the do not enter order and rough terrain stopped them; when he heard that the only other hospital corpsman had been badly injured, Torrisi, sprang into action; he jumped out of his vehicle and ran 50 meters through enemy fire to administer aid to those in the rear vehicle in the draw; he then ran another 50-75 meters to the forward team to do the same; and

WHEREAS, Unable to administer care due to sniper gunfire, Chief Petty Officer Torrisi launched grenade rounds from an M-203 grenade launcher, and the assailing gunfire stopped; this brave soldier was then able to administer aid to the wounded team members of the forward vehicle; and

WHEREAS, As gunfire then continued, Jeremy Torrisi ushered wounded team members to the rear vehicle, and then went to aid the wounded corpsman; as he treated the corpsman, he was shot in the leg, but refused aid until the other corpsman's injuries were tended to; air support was called in and Chief Petty Officer Torrisi aided in the evacuation of the wounded team members to safer locations; and

WHEREAS, On that day in June, Chief Petty Officer Torrisi's actions saved the lives of four people, and resulted in him being awarded the Silver Star Medal, the third highest award given for valor in the face of the enemy, on January 21, 2010, at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina; and

WHEREAS, Jeremy Torrisi's humility and graciousness for his fellow comrades who assisted in the heroics that day, by doing their part to protect one another, matches his dedication and commitment to serving his country and his fellow soldiers; and

WHEREAS, Chief Petty Officer Torrisi's service in the United States Armed Forces serves as a source of great pride and inspiration to his wife, Neysa, his parents, his family, his friends, and the country for which he serves; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to honor Chief Petty Officer Jeremy K. Torrisi upon the occasion of receiving the Silver Star Medal, to thank him for his dedicated service to our country, and to wish him safe journeys in his next deployment in the near future; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Chief Petty Officer Jeremy K. Torrisi.