Trump awards Medal of Honor to Army medic for live-saving efforts in Afghanistan

President Trump on Monday awarded the Medal of Honor to a former Army medic who saved the lives of U.S. and Afghan troops amid a hail of enemy gunfire during a 2008 mission.

Staff Sgt. Ronald Shurer, who now works for the Secret Service, received the Medal of Honor during a ceremony at the White House. Trump praised Shurer’s bravery and commitment to aiding his fellow soldiers.

Shurer was the lone medic to travel with a team of soldiers in April 2008 to Afghanistan’s Shok Valley, where U.S. forces were pursuing a terrorist leader in a remote mountain village.

{mosads}After his unit was pinned down by enemy fire, Shurer ran through waves of enemy fire to tend to his fellow soldiers. Shurer treated four critically wounded U.S. soldiers and 10 Afghan soldiers.

“Not a single American died in that brutal battle thanks in great measure to Ron’s heroic actions,” Trump said.

Happening now: Staff Sgt. Ronald J. Shurer II, Special Operations Task Force 33, receives the #MedalOfHonor for his actions on April 6, 2008 in Afghanistan, during a ceremony at the @whitehouse. https://t.co/nVfGy66VnK

— U.S. Army (@USArmy) October 1, 2018

Shurer, who was honorably discharged from the Army in 2009 after two tours of duty in Afghanistan, now works for the U.S. Secret Service counter assault team.

“Today is a truly proud and special day for those of us here in the White House because Ron works right here alongside of us,” Trump said.

The president noted that Shurer was diagnosed with cancer a year and a half ago. 

“That cancer, he’s been fighting it with courage and with strength, and he’s a warrior,” Trump said. “Just like he faced every single battle of his entire life he’s facing a very tough battle right now with cancer.”

Shurer on Monday became the 11th Army soldier to receive the Medal of Honor for actions in Afghanistan. Fifteen individuals total have received the honor for their service in Afghanistan.