The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain James S. Ashman (MCSN: 0-29808), United States Marine Corps, for heroism while participating in aerial flight against the enemy in Korea on 26 October 1951. Serving as the Pilot of a slow, unarmed, observation aircraft, Captain Ashman was on a reconnaissance flight forward of the friendly lines in the Ku-dong area, when he was assigned the mission of locating enemy strong points and troop concentrations in front of a friendly patrol. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, he searched the area at a dangerously low altitude, exposing his vulnerable aircraft to intense enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire. By his courageous actions he located several enemy strong points and directed the fighter aircraft for the attack, thereby contributing materially to the success achieved by the friendly patrol. Captain Ashman’s courageous conduct and selfless devotion to duty were exemplary and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.