The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Joseph William Ashy, United States Air Force, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of an F-100 Aircraft of the 531st Tactical Fighter Squadron, Bien Hoa Air Base, Vietnam, PACIFIC Air Force, in action near Bo Duc, Republic of Vietnam, on 29 November 1967. On that date, Captain Ashy was scrambled from the Alert Pad at Bien Hoa Air Base to provide close air support to the 5th Reconnaissance Company, 5th Vietnamese Army Division, located in the Bo Duc District Headquarters. The headquarters consisting of two adjacent compounds, was receiving intense mortar/rocket attacks and frontal assaults from a numerically superior hostile force. During the course of the ground battle, one compound was overrun and Captain Ashy was directed to place his ordnance on the captured compound, only a few meters from friendly forces. With complete disregard for his own safety, he made pass after pass on the hostile positions, flying through a barrage of heavy automatic weapons fire on each pass. Through his selfless heroism and outstanding skill the compound was saved from capture by the attacking hostile forces. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Ashy has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
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Defense Distinguished Service Medal
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Defense Distinguished Service Medal
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
531st Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
Bien Hoa Air Base, VietnamAction Date:
Vietnam War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain Joseph William Ashy, United States Air Force, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot of an F-100 Aircraft of the 531st Tactical Fighter Squadron, Bien Hoa Air Base, Vietnam, PACIFIC Air Force, in action in Southeast Asia in 1967. His devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
GeneralRegiment:
Air Force Space CommandDivision:
Peterson Air Force Base, ColoradoAction Date:
September 10, 1994 – September 30, 1996
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal to General Joseph William Ashy, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. General Ashy distinguished himself as Commander, Air Force Space Command, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado, from 10 September 1994 to 30 September 1996. During this period, General Ashy’s decisive leadership, dynamic managerial skill, and keen operational insight, were key to the successful accomplishment of all the missions assigned to Air Force Space Command in support of America’s military and national space programs. His ceaseless efforts to normalize and operationalize space forces within the Department of Defense and within the defense forces of our international allies made space support routine and reliable to global land, air and sea forces. His unbending commitment to future space operations led to greatly increased military cooperation with civilian space efforts and paved the way for routine, reliable, and affordable space launch capabilities key to assuring America’s future access to space. General Ashy’s selfless devotion to duty armed Air Force Space Command and the Department of Defense with the proper doctrine, policies, and forces to assure America’s leadership in every facet of space operations well into the 21st Century. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Ashy culminated a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
GeneralAction Date:
September 1994 – September 1996
Secretary of Defense, Military Personnel Awards Memorandum 96-168 (August 5, 1996)Under the provisions of Executive Order 11545, July 9, 1970, the Secretary of Defense of the United States of America take pleasure in awarding a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal to General Joseph William Ashy, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service contributing to national security and defense, in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States during the period September 1994 through September 1996. The distinctive accomplishments of General Ashy reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Air Force, and the Department of Defense.
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Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant GeneralDivision:
Allied Air Forces Southern EuropeAction Date:
December 1992 – July 1994
Secretary of Defense, Military Personnel Awards Memorandum 94-140 (July 11, 1994)The Secretary of Defense of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Defense Distinguished Service Medal to Lieutenant General Joseph William Ashy, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service contributing to national security and defense, in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States, as Commander, Allied Air Forces Southern Europe, Naples, Italy, from December 1992 to July 1994. General Ash’s superb leadership was instrumental in improving readiness and crisis response capability of Southern Region air forces in the increasingly important Southern Region of Allied Command Europe. As air commander for Operation DENY FLIGHT, the enforcement of the no-fly-zone over Bosnia-Herzegovina, his leadership and in-depth understanding of air power doctrine led to solutions to many complex problems. His extensive personal interaction with military leaders of Southern Region nations fostered an atmosphere of mutual respect and trust which formed a sound basis for continued progress. The distinctive accomplishments of General Ashy reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Air Force, and the Department of Defense.
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Major GeneralAction Date:
September 1, 1986 – June 10, 1988
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal to Major General Joseph William Ashy, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. General Ashy distinguished himself as Inspector General, Chief of Staff, and Deputy Chief of Staff, Plans, Headquarters, Tactical Air Command, Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, from 1 September 1986 to 10 June 1988. During this period, General Ashy’s dynamic leadership, exemplary foresight, and ceaseless efforts significantly enhanced the United States Air Force’s abilities, concepts, policies, and doctrine for the employment of tactical air power. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Ashy reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
531st Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
Bien Hoa Air Base, VietnamAction Date:
Vietnam War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain Joseph William Ashy, United States Air Force, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot of an F-100 Aircraft of the 531st Tactical Fighter Squadron, Bien Hoa Air Base, Vietnam, PACIFIC Air Force, in action in Southeast Asia in 1967. His devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major General Joseph William Ashy, United States Air Force, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Ashy and his dedicated contributions in the Service of his Country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major General Joseph William Ashy, United States Air Force, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster 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. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Ashy and his dedicated contributions in the Service of his Country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.