Curtis M. Ashton’s FIRST Bronze Star citation

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
HAS AWARDED

THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL

TO
AVIATION ELECTRICIAN SECOND CLASS
CURTIS MORRIS ASHTON,
UNITED STATES NAVY

CITATION:

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Aviation Electrician Second Class Curtis Morris Ashton, United States Navy, for meritorious achievement in connection with operations against the enemy while serving with SEAL Team TWO, Detachment ALFA in the Republic of Vietnam, on the night of 13 March 1968. As machine gunner with a SEAL combat patrol, Petty Officer Ashton’s patrol penetrated 4,000 yards into an enemy base camp occupied by a Viet Cong battalion. The patrol discovered a large barracks complex containing approximately 30 well armed insurgents. Petty Officer Ashton volunteered to act as rear security during his patrol’s withdrawal through 1,000 yards occupied by a large Viet Cong force. Petty Officer Ashton held off a Viet Cong attempt to cut off and encircle his patrol, continually exposing himself to a hail of automatic weapons fire to insure his patrol’s safe extraction. Petty Officer Ashton’s courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Petty Officer Ashton is authorized the Combat “V”.)

Born: Nov. 30, 1946 in Sweetwater, Texas… Killed in action on Dec. 27, 1969 during his second tour in Vietnam… Also awarded the Silver Star, three Purple Hearts, and two other Bronze Star Medals with the Combat “V” device… Interred: Garden of Memories Cemetery in Sweetwater, Texas