During a ceremony at the White House, President Donald J. Trump placed the medal around Shurer's neck.
"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 on the Secret Service Counter Assault Team," President Trump said. "These are incredible people."
Shurer joined the Army in November 2002. Following a six-and-a-half year enlistment, which included time as a Green Beret and two deployments to Afghanistan, Shurer separated from military service in 2009. Less than four months later, he opted to serve his country again by joining the Secret Service.
Initially, Shurer was assigned to the Phoenix Field Office where he investigated financial crimes, performed advance work and took part in the protection of the president, vice president, and high-level dignitaries.
In 2014, the skills, leadership qualities and dedication to mission that Shurer had developed while in the Army were tapped again when he moved to Washington, D.C., to serve as part of the Secret Service Counter Assault Team. He continues there today as part of a team that works to suppress, divert, and neutralize coordinated attacks against the president.
"Special Agent Shurer has opted twice to serve his country, once as a soldier in the U.S. Army and again as a special agent," said Director of the Secret Service Randolph D. Alles. "Today, many in the United States learned for the first time something about Agent Shurer that his fellow soldiers in the Army and fellow agents in the Secret Service have known for many years now: he is a selfless servant of this nation, wholly dedicated to our values of duty, honor and country. His family in the Secret Service is proud of him for the lives he saved in Afghanistan and for his continued service with us today."
WAR HERO
While in Afghanistan, Shurer and his unit came under attack by enemy fire. With complete disregard for his own safety, Shurer fought his way up a mountain in order to render aid and evacuate casualties from his operational detachment and Afghan Commandos.
Shurer was initially pinned at the base of a valley by heavy insurgent fire when he received communications that the forward assault element could not move due to a high volume of insurgent fire and had sustained casualties.
Under intense insurgent fire, Shurer reached the pinned down element of his operational detachment and rendered aid to four critically wounded U.S. service members and ten injured Afghan Commandos. Shurer treated multiple life-threatening gunshot wounds until additional teammates arrived.
"Ron is an inspiration to everyone in this room and to every citizen all across our great land," President Trump said. "Ron, our hearts are filled with gratitude and joy as we prepare to engrave your name alongside [the names] of America's greatest heroes. It is an honor and privilege ... to present you with the Congressional Medal of Honor."
At the White House, Shurer was accompanied by wife, Miranda, his two sons, and his parents.
Shurer is the second U.S. Secret Service employee to be awarded the Medal of Honor. The first, Special Agent Richard H. Taylor, earned the medal in March 1899 while serving in the Navy aboard the U.S.S. Nipsic. Taylor's Secret Service career spanned from 1901-1913, with assignments in the New York Field Office and the White House Detail.
-- United States Secret Service