CWO Gabriel Torney
DFC
Colorado Springs Gazette
Torney was flying co-pilot alongside Chief Warrant Officer Dennis Hay in another OH-58, providing overhead reconnaissance to troops battling insurgents.
It was just after sunset when machine gun fire hit Torney’s helicopter. One of the bullets mortally wounded Hay and another went through one of Torney’s legs and lodged in the other leg.
The helicopter pitched up and threatened to go out of control. Seriously wounded, Torney still was able to control the damaged chopper and land it safely.
“It’s almost unbelievable that he was able to regain control,” said Col. H.R. McMaster, the regiment’s commander.
Torney was selfless when help arrived, McMaster said, asking medics to treat Hay before dealing with his leg wounds.
At the ceremony, Torney said the team effort to defeat insurgents in Tal Afar proved the enemy will not win in Iraq.
“We proved they were no match for this team,” he said.
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