MOH Recipient Staff Sgt. Ronald Shurer

Tenacious D · Oct 3, 2018

Go Army.

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, he braved enemy fire to move to an injured soldier and treat his wounds. Having stabilized the soldier, he 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, he 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, he 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, he 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, he 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 remove 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.
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TennTradition · Oct 3, 2018

G’damn.

IP · Oct 3, 2018

I know they deeply research these things prior to award, but man. 10 years seems like a long time. Dude is a legit hero.

Tenacious D · Oct 3, 2018

IP said: ↑

I know they deeply research these things prior to award, but man. 10 years seems like a long time. Dude is a legit hero.
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There was an initiative under the Obama Admin to re-open and re-review high honors which may have best deserved the MOH.

But it’s a long process. Not 10 years long, but long.

IP · Oct 3, 2018

Tenacious D said: ↑

There was an initiative under the Obama Admin to re-open and re-review high honors which may have best deserved the MOH.

But it’s a long process. Not 10 years long, but long.
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Thanks, Obama.

Tenacious D · Oct 3, 2018

IP said: ↑

Thanks, Obama.
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Fair.

CardinalVol · Oct 3, 2018

Amazing.

smokysbark · Oct 4, 2018

IP said: ↑

I know they deeply research these things prior to award, but man. 10 years seems like a long time. Dude is a legit hero.
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Many times, if it is a joint special ops mission, all of the service components involved have to review and approve the citation. You have Army and Navy door kickers, Air Force combat controllers, etc. That review also includes those respective service components delegating the research to lower ranking folks to determine if the particular citation makes any of their guys look incompetent and also arguing that "if the Army's guy is getting a MOH then my guy should too." Not saying that happened here but it happens.

hohenfelsvol · Oct 4, 2018

One hell of a soldier. One hell of a comrade. One hell of a man.

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MOH Recipient Staff Sgt. Ronald Shurer

Tenacious D The law is of supreme importance, or no importance

TennTradition Super Moderator

IP Super Moderator

Tenacious D The law is of supreme importance, or no importance

IP Super Moderator

Tenacious D The law is of supreme importance, or no importance

CardinalVol Uncultured, non-diverse mod

smokysbark Chieftain

hohenfelsvol Beer run

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MOH Recipient Staff Sgt. Ronald Shurer

Tenacious D The law is of supreme importance, or no importance

TennTradition Super Moderator

IP Super Moderator

Tenacious D The law is of supreme importance, or no importance

IP Super Moderator

Tenacious D The law is of supreme importance, or no importance

CardinalVol Uncultured, non-diverse mod

smokysbark Chieftain

hohenfelsvol Beer run

Share This Page

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