Staff Sgt. Ronald J. Shurer II Is Laid to Rest
Soldiers of 3d Infantry Regiment – The Old Guard – who are garrisoned at Fort Myer, had the sacred duty of rendering final honors for US Army Staff Sgt. Ronald J. Shurer II in Arlington National Cemetery. Shurer was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions with the 3rd Special Forces Group during the Battle of Shok Valley in Afghanistan. He was part of a team sent to capture or kill several high-value members of the Hezb-e Islami al Gulbadin militant group.
OLD GUARD SOLDIERS DELIVER FINAL HONORS
SOUNDING TAPS ON A BUGLE
PRESENTATION OF THE COLORS
FINAL SALUTE
GREEN BERET FOUNDATION
This afternoon, representatives of the Green Beret Foundation attended the military funeral honors conducted for Staff Sgt. Ronald J. Shurer II (3rd Special Forces Group) in Arlington National Cemetery. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, teammates, and friends of Staff Sgt. Shurer. De Oppresso Liber
Medal of Honor Citation Staff Sgt. Ronald J. Shurer II
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, the 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 a 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 the 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 airstrikes. 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.
Chosen Soldier:
The Making of a Special Forces Warrior
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