Citation
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.