Photo By Staff Sgt. Cory Grogan | In a heartwarming ceremony held at the Col. James Nesmith Readiness Center in Dallas,...... read more read more
SALEM, Ore. - In a heartwarming ceremony held at the Col. James Nesmith Readiness Center in Dallas, Oregon, family, friends, and members of the Oregon Army National Guard's 162nd Engineering Company gathered to pay tribute to a fallen hero, Spc. Mando Torres, and acknowledge how his bravery saved the life of another.
Among the attendees was Stephanie Torres, Spc. Torres's former wife, who lost him tragically in a car accident shortly after his return from a courageous combat deployment. It was during that deployment that Spc. Torres displayed exemplary valor, saving a fellow soldier's life while serving as a combat medic.
"I'm overwhelmed with joy and love," said Stephanie. "This ceremony means so much to me and our boys. To see all the support and honor Mando's memory in this way is truly amazing."
Reflecting on the man she knew, Stephanie praised Spc. Torres's unwavering dedication to his roles as a husband, father, and service member. "He was the best husband and a great dad, but as a servicemember, I admired how much he loved his duty and how passionately he pursued being the best combat medic he could be," she said with pride.
Sgt. Maj. Robert Bertilson, who served with Torres, said that during his time in the Army, Spc. Torres demonstrated exceptional courage and commitment to his fellow soldiers. He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal with Valor for his actions during a critical combat situation. On a routine route clearance mission, his convoy encountered a devastating IED explosion, resulting in casualties. One soldier in the convoy suffered severe injuries, losing his leg, and it was Spc. Torres who swiftly responded and provided life-saving measures that ultimately saved his comrade's life.
"Spc. Torres was a true soldier, a yes man who eagerly served and carried out any mission without complaint," said Bertilson. "His positivity and dedication were unparalleled. He had an unwavering commitment to service, and that's what I'll always remember."
For Sgt. Maj. Bertilson, ensuring Spc. Torres was honored and recognized approximately ten years later was deeply personal.
"To see him being dedicated to service was a profound inspiration to us all. Learning that his family hadn't received this award tugged at my heartstrings," he said.
The ceremony served as a testament to the bravery and sacrifice of service members like Torres. It also highlighted the crucial role that family members play in supporting their loved ones in uniform, enduring both the challenges of military life and the heartache of loss.
| Date Taken: | 08.05.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 08.28.2023 18:13 |
| Story ID: | 451511 |
| Location: | OR, US |
| Web Views: | 27 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
This work, Oregon National Guard Hero Remembered & Honored at Nesmith Readiness Center, by SSG Cory Grogan, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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