(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Colonel Maurice Cavileer Ashley, Jr. (MCSN: 0-45707), United States Marine Corps, was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Legion of Merit
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Silver Star
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Brigadier General Maurice Cavileer Ashley, Jr. (MCSN: 0-45707), United States Marine Corps, was awarded a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Lieutenant ColonelBatallion:
1st Tank BattalionDivision:
1st Marine Division (Rein.), FMFAction Date:
November 17, 1968
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel Maurice Cavileer Ashley, Jr. (MCSN: 0-45707), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Commanding Officer of the First Tank Battalion, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 17 November 1968, a North Vietnamese Army company attacked the hamlet of Phu Hoa, near DaNang, inflicted numerous casualties upon the civilian populace, and pinned down the few Popular Forces personnel stationed in the village. Informed of the incident, Lieutenant Colonel Ashley immediately mustered a reaction force and, preceding it alone to the beleaguered hamlet, fearlessly traveled over a road not yet cleared of enemy mines. Reaching the hamlet, he reconnoitered the area and carefully prepared a plan of attack which would avoid wounding innocent civilians and inflict maximum casualties upon the North Vietnamese unit. When the reaction force arrived, Lieutenant Colonel Ashley stationed himself with the point man and, although exposed to intense hostile fire, personally led the Marines into the hamlet where he deployed his men into effective fighting positions, indicated lines of fire, then conducted a house-to-house search and destroy operation. Skillfully exercising close control over the combined maneuvering of the reaction unit and the Popular Forces, he enabled his men to clear the hamlet of enemy soldiers, forcing the hostile company into a disorganized retreat. His heroic and timely actions inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in his unit’s accounting for two North Vietnamese soldiers confirmed killed, in addition to the capturing of two others. By his courage, aggressive leadership and unwavering devotion to duty at great personal risk, Lieutenant Colonel Ashley contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
1st Marine Division (Rein.), FMFAction Date:
August 29, 1968 – August 10, 1969
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Colonel Maurice Cavileer Ashley, Jr. (MCSN: 0-45707), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while serving in various capacities with the FIRST Marine Division in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam from 29 August 1968 to 10 August 1969. Throughout this period, Lieutenant Colonel Ashley performed his demanding duties in an exemplary and highly professional manner. Initially assigned as Commanding Officer of the First Tank Battalion, he displayed exceptional initiative and resourcefulness in deploying his tanks and provided a consistently high level of support to designated units during numerous combat operations, including Operation TAYLOR COMMON. Serving additionally as Officer in Charge of the Southern Sector Defense Command, he directed the construction of outposts and initiated patrol and ambush activities which thwarted repeated attempts by large hostile forces to penetrate vital areas. Under his aggressive leadership, his tank detachments inflicted heavy losses on numerically superior enemy forces and transported 764 tons of cargo and hundreds of passengers safely through hostile areas. Following a month’s assignment as Assistant Chief of Staff, G-4, Lieutenant Colonel Ashley was reassigned as Executive Officer of the Fifth Marines on 16 April 1969, and initiated administrative and logistic procedures which greatly enhanced the readiness posture of subordinate units. His remarkable ability to analyze operational problems and provide feasible solutions earned the respect and admiration of all who served with him and contributed immeasurably to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission. By his leadership, extraordinary professionalism, and unwavering devotion to duty, Lieutenant Colonel Ashley rendered distinguished service to his country and thereby upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. (Lieutenant Colonel Ashley is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)