Ronald J. Shurer
Ronald J. Shurer | |
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War in Afghanistan
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Awards | Army Commendation Medal |
Other work | Special agent, United States Secret Service |
Ronald Joseph Shurer II[1] (December 7, 1978 – May 14, 2020) was a United States Army Special Forces staff sergeant and medic. As a senior medical sergeant during the Battle of Shok Valley in April 2008, he and his team were attacked by an enemy force of more than 200 fighters. Shurer fought for more than an hour to reach part of his unit, killing several insurgents along the way.[2] He was initially awarded a Silver Star for this action, but in 2016 The Pentagon upgraded this recognition to a Medal of Honor. He received the latter honor in a White House ceremony on October 1, 2018.
Early life and education
Shurer was born in
Military career
Shurer initially trained as an
Battle of Shok Valley
On April 6, 2008, the team was participating in a joint US-Afghan raid designed to kill or capture
While moving through the valley, the team came under enemy
The story of Shurer's actions that day are the subject of a chapter in the book No Way Out: A Story of Valor in the Mountains of Afghanistan.[13][14]
Recognition
Shurer was initially awarded the
Medal of Honor citation
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, March 3, 1863, has awarded in the name of Congress the Medal of Honor to
STAFF SERGEANT RONALD J. SHURER II UNITED STATES ARMY
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty:
Staff Sergeant Ronald J. Shurer II distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty on April 6, 2008, while serving as a Senior Medical Sergeant, Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha 3336, Special Operations Task Force-33, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Staff Sergeant Shurer was part of an assault element inserted by helicopter into a location in Afghanistan. As the assault element moved up a near vertical mountain toward its objective, it was engaged by fierce enemy machine gun, sniper, and rocket-propelled grenade fire. The lead portion of the assault element, which included the ground commander, sustained several casualties and became pinned down on the mountainside. Staff Sergeant Shurer and the rest of the trailing portion of the assault element were likewise engaged by enemy machine gun, sniper, and rocket-propelled grenade fire. As the attack intensified, Staff Sergeant Shurer braved enemy fire to move to an injured Soldier and treat his wounds. Having stabilized the injured Soldier, Staff Sergeant Shurer then learned of the casualties among the lead element. Staff Sergeant Shurer fought his way up the mountainside, under intense enemy fire, to the lead element’s location. Upon reaching the lead element, he treated and stabilized two more Soldiers. Finishing those lifesaving efforts, Staff Sergeant Shurer noticed two additional severely wounded Soldiers under intense enemy fire. The bullet that had wounded one of these Soldiers had also impacted Staff Sergeant Shurer’s helmet. With complete disregard for his own life, Staff Sergeant Shurer again moved through enemy fire to treat and stabilize one Soldier’s severely wounded arm. Shortly thereafter, Staff Sergeant Shurer continued to brave withering enemy fire to get to the other Soldier’s location in order to treat his lower leg, which had been almost completely severed by a high-caliber sniper round. After treating the Soldier, Staff Sergeant Shurer began to evacuate the wounded; carrying and lowering them down the sheer mountainside. While moving down the mountain, Staff Sergeant Shurer used his own body to shield the wounded from enemy fire and debris caused by danger-close air strikes. Reaching the base of the mountain, Staff Sergeant Shurer set up a casualty collection point and continued to treat the wounded. With the arrival of the medical evacuation helicopter, Staff Sergeant Shurer, again under enemy fire, helped load the wounded into the helicopter. Having ensured the safety of the wounded, Staff Sergeant Shurer then regained control of his commando squad and rejoined the fight. He continued to lead his troops and emplace security elements until it was time to move to the evacuation landing zone for the helicopter. Staff Sergeant Shurer’s actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan, Special Operations Command Central, and the United States Army.
Awards and decorations
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United States Army Special Forces Combat Service Identification Badge | |
Distinctive Unit Insignia
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Meritorious Unit Commendation | |
2 Service stripes | |
2 Overseas Service Bars |
Post-army
Shurer was honorably discharged in May 2009 and became a special agent in the Phoenix office of the United States Secret Service. He was later selected for the agency's Counter Assault Team and assigned to its Special Operations Division in Washington, D.C. He lived in Burke, Virginia, with his wife and two sons.[10] Shurer was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in 2017, and on May 14, 2020, he died as a result of the disease at the age of 41.[16][17] Shurer was interred at Arlington National Cemetery on October 27, 2020.[1]
References
- ^ a b "Shurer, Ronald Joseph". ANCExplorer. U.S. Army. Retrieved February 17, 2021.
- ^ Vanden Brook, Tom; Jackson, David (September 21, 2018). "President Donald Trump Award Medal of Honor". USA Today. Retrieved September 22, 2018.
- ^ "Medal of Honor: Staff Sergeant Ronald J. Shurer II". www.army.mil. Retrieved October 4, 2018.
- ^ ISBN 9780425245262.
- ^ "WSU Graduate, Army Staff Sgt. Ronald J. Shurer Receives Silver Star for Valor During Combat Action in Afghanistan". Washington State University. January 4, 2009. Retrieved September 22, 2018.
- ^ a b Laporta, James (September 21, 2018). "Army Special Forces Medic to Receive Medal of Honor for Saving Multiple Lives During 2008 Afghanistan Battle". Newsweek. Retrieved September 22, 2018.
- ^ "Ronald J. Shurer". Military Times. Retrieved September 22, 2018.
- ^ Needles, Allison (September 30, 2018). "Puyallup vet to receive Medal of Honor for saving teammates". Puyallup Herald. Retrieved October 1, 2018.
the 39-year-old veteran
- National Archives.
- ^ a b c Tan, Michelle (September 21, 2018). "Former Special Forces medic to receive Medal of Honor for valor in Afghanistan". Army Times. Retrieved September 22, 2018.
- ^ "Soldiers Honored With Silver Stars Following Extraordinary Battle in Afghanistan". PBS. December 12, 2008. Archived from the original on December 18, 2008.
- ^ "Former Army medic Ronald J. Shurer II to receive Medal of Honor". Stars and Stripes. September 21, 2018. Retrieved September 22, 2018.
- ISBN 9780425245262.
- ^ "Staff Sgt. Ronald J. Shurer II: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know". heavy.com. Retrieved September 22, 2018.
- ^ "Shok Valley medic to receive Medal of Honor". US Army. September 21, 2018. Retrieved September 22, 2018.
- ^ Choi, David. "Medal of Honor recipient Ron Shurer dead at 41 after battle with lung cancer". Business Insider. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
- ^ "Medal of Honor recipient Ronald Shurer dies after lengthy struggle with lung cancer". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
External links
- Silver Star Recipients Congressional Record, United States Senate, May 11, 2009