Hero honored after giving life to save fellow Marines
By Ria Taormina
NewsChannel 3

A hero is being remembered in Twentynine Palms. Lance Corporal Torrey Gray was awarded a Bronze Star for giving his own life to save the lives of other Marines.

NewsChannel 3 was there today for the ceremony, a ceremony honoring a man taken by war.

As 'Anchors Away' plays and a cool breeze blows, Marine Lance Corporal Torrey L. Gray is remembered by members of his platoon and others for his heroic acts in Iraq. His own family couldn't be here, but they were represented by his roommate's mother. The parade field is dedicated and named the Lance Corporal Torey L. Gray field.

Formerly known as a general's lawn, it's where every major ceremony on base takes place, like President Bush's arrival back in April.

He was given a Bronze Star after his death on Easter Sunday in April 2004 for the selfless act of helping a comrade and giving cover with his own body.

Gray died trying to protect his fellow Marine by throwing himself on top of him. Corporal Stone had been shot twice by enemy fire. Today, he tells us what a great Marine and person he believes Gray was.

"I was in the tower with him. He had a good heart, very funny. He was a good Marine he loved his family."

Another Marine we spoke with was also in Gray's platoon. He was in Iraq at the time on a different mission. But knew what a dedicated Marine Gray was.

He believes this dedication will inspire young Marines to aspire to be like Lance Corporal Gray.

"I can't put it into words. To us, this is huge, this is massive, beyond medals, beyond ribbons. It's a dedication of an area that everyone in the base knows."

And from now on, it has a name, shared with a Marine who gave his life in place of another.

Ellie