Atkins. Staff Sergeant Atkins acted with complete disregard
Sergeant Atkins saved the lives of the three other soldiers
who were with him and gallantly gave his life for his country.
steadfast devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest
States Army.
STAFF SERGEANT
RONALD J SHURER II
Staff Sergeant Ronald J Shurer
II distinguished himself by acts
of gallantry and intrepidity
above and beyond the call of
serving as a Senior Medical
Operational Detachment Alpha
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
the mountainside. Staff Sergeant Shurer and the rest of the
trailing portion of the assault element were likewise engaged
then learned of the casualties among the lead element. Staff
Shurer noticed two additional severely wounded Soldiers
of these Soldiers had also impacted Staff Sergeant Shurer’s
and stabilize one Soldier’s severely wounded arm. Shortly
and lowering them down the sheer mountainside. While
caused by danger-close air strikes. Reaching the base of the
point and continued to treat the wounded. With the arrival of
116 VETERANS AFFAIRS 90 YEARS: Military & Wellness