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WASHINGTON – President Trump on Monday handed the highest military award to a former green beret who was greeted with such an ovation at the White House that the president joked: "I would love to be so popular as well."
Former Staff Sergeant Ronald Shurer II received the Medal of Honor for his actions on April 6, 2008 in the Shok Valley, Afghanistan, when his team faced sniper fire, rocket propelled grenades and a shower of bullets.
Shurer repelled the enemy attack for several hours while saving the lives of his injured teammates.
"For more than six hours, Ron bravely confronted the enemy," said Trump during a ceremony at the White House. "Not a single American died in this brutal battle, largely thanks to Ron's heroic actions."
Shurer, 39, is from Puyallup, Washington, and is a graduate of Washington State University. After the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, he was inspired by the army, along with his parents, grandfather and great-grandfather.
After two deployments to Afghanistan, Shurer joined the secret service and was assigned in 2014 to his White House counter-strike team, which aims to stop any coordinated attack against the president.
The former green beret lives in Virginia with his wife Miranda and his two sons Cameron and Tyler.
"We are impressed by your father's courage," Trump told Shurer's children. "Today, he is joining the biggest gathering of heroes in the world."
Shurer received a prolonged standing ovation during the ceremony at the White House, where Trump joked: "I would love to be so popular as well."
Shurer is currently battling cancer with the same bravery he has displayed on the battlefield, Trump said.
"He fights every day with courage and strength. He's a warrior, "said Trump. "… Ron is an inspiration to everyone in this room and to all the citizens of our great country."
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