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 Oper-
ations 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 evac-
uation 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 receiv-
ing 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 tran-
smitted to Chief Petty Officer Jeremy K. Torrisi.