USMC CPL. Carlos Torres

Corporal Carlos Torres was born February 3, 1989, in Morelos, Mexico. He graduated from Lawndale High School with academic honors in 2007 and enlisted in the Marine Corps at RSS Redondo Beach that same year. After graduating MCRD San Diego as meritorious PFC in November 2007, Torres attended School of Infantry West and received the military occupational specialty of 0351 Anti-Tank Assaultman.

While assigned to Scout Platoon, he moved quickly through the billets, first as a driver, then as a knowledgeable and proficient heavy machine gunner. With two years on station, he volunteered for various non-profit community services, sacrificing personal time to work with the Boys and Girls Club and the American Red Cross.

On January 1, 2011 Corporal Torres deployed voluntarily to Afghanistan and was awarded as Division Marine of the Year. On July 3, 2011, while serving as a scout supporting the 1st Tank Battalion, Corporal Torres lost both legs and sustained extensive damage to his left elbow when he stepped on an IED.

Corporal Torres has been awarded a Combat Action Ribbon, Afghan Campaign Medals, Global War on Terror Medal, National Defense Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Navy and Marine Corp Achievement Medals, NATO Medal ISAF Afghanistan Medal, Purple Heart, Navy Unit Commendation, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Good Conduct Medal, as well as Certificates of Commendations and Letters of Appreciation.

In 2018, Corporal Carlos Torres joined THE HEROES PROJECT for Operation 7 Volcanoes and summitted the highest active volcano in the world, Ojos del Salado.