CURTIS MORRIS "BUTCH" ASHTON
Curtis Morris "Butch" Ashton was born in Rotan, Fisher County, Texas, the son of Alpha O and Elmer Atwood Ashton. He was the youngest of six children. His family moved to Sweetwater when he was seven years old and he attended Sweetwater Schools through the sophomore year. Before his junior year, he moved to Tye and lived with his older brother, Troy and attended school there. He moved back to Sweetwater and dropped out of high school his senior year and joined the Navy in January 1965. He completed the requirements for his GED in the Navy.
He completed his recruit training at the Naval Recruit Training Depot at San Diego, California and then completed training as an electrician's mate. He served on ship and then applied for Seal Training and was accepted. He completed the training in June 1967 and then married Stephanie Huddleston, his childhood sweetheart from Sweetwater, July 15, 1967.
He completed a voluntary tour in Vietnam as a member of the 7th Seal Platoon from October 1967 through June 1968. He returned for a second tour with the 7th Seal Team from October 1968 through May 1969. He re-enlisted on June 15, 1969 and was promoted to AE1, E-6.
He began his third voluntary tour on December 12, 1969 and was a member of Seal Team 2. He had completed over 150 SEAL missions in his two previous tours and was the recipient of two purple hearts and many awards for valor. According to a SEAL buddy, he was loyal, fearless and was deadly with a Stoner Machine Gun. He went anywhere at anytime to complete a mission. To his buddies, he was known as "Litl Ashton." He died from multiple fragmentary wounds on December 27, 1969 near Ben Hoa during a training exercise with South Vietnamese personnel. It was felt that the incident was hostile as the trainee was perceived to have been a V.C. sympathizer and mishandled a live grenade and it exploded, killing Curtis and several trainees. He had been back in country a little over 2 weeks.
He was buried in the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Sweetwater with full military honors.
He was survived by his wife, Stephanie of Virginia Beach, Virginia; his parents of Sweetwater, his sisters, Helen Tommie of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Carol Nezat of Fort Walton, Florida; and his brothers, Troy of Glen Burnie, Maryland, Gene of Lovington, New Mexico, and Gayland of Pleasanton, Texas.
He was awarded the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, along with many awards for valor. He is remembered by the Permian Basin Vietnam Memorial in Midland, Texas.
Bio courtesy of Linda Kiser Miller
************************************
Vietnam Wall Inscription:
23 Race: Caucasian Male
Date of Birth: Nov 30, 1946
From: Sweetwater, TX
Religion: Protestant
Marital Status: Married
AE1 - E6 - Navy
Regular Length of service: 4 years
His tour began on Apr 15, 1969
Casualty was on Dec 27, 1969 in Bien Hoa, South Vietnam
Hostile, ground casualty, multiple fragmentation wounds
Body was recovered
Vietnam Wall: Panel 15W - Line 96
(Info courtesy of the Martinez Family - Jul. 6, 2010)
************************************
Following is a synposis of the Silver Star awarded to Curtis Ashton after his death:
ASHTON, CURTIS MORRIS
Synopsis:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Curtis Morris Ashton, Aviation Electrician First Class, U.S. Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Aviation Electrician First Class Ashton distinguished himself by intrepid actions on while serving with Detachment A, 4th Platoon, SEAL Team 2, Task Force 116. His unquestionable valor in close combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.
Born: November 30, 1946 at Rotan, Texas
Home Town: Sweetwater, Texas
(Synopsis provided courtesy of Paula J - Dec. 2014
************************************
On December 27, 1969, Ashton was killed in action when an explosion occurred near his patrol area 21 kilometers southeast of Nha Be. Ashton was in a water borne guard post, WBGP, with five seals and six PRU troops. They called in a light helicopter fire team, LHFT, to place a strike of lights south of their position. At 2345 hours, ordinance exploded within the guard post resulting in Ashton's death and the wounding of a PRU. He had been back in country a little over 2 weeks.
From a declassified document located and provided by Billy M. Brown - October, 2016.
*************************************
Curtis Morris "Butch" Ashton was born in Rotan, Fisher County, Texas, the son of Alpha O and Elmer Atwood Ashton. He was the youngest of six children. His family moved to Sweetwater when he was seven years old and he attended Sweetwater Schools through the sophomore year. Before his junior year, he moved to Tye and lived with his older brother, Troy and attended school there. He moved back to Sweetwater and dropped out of high school his senior year and joined the Navy in January 1965. He completed the requirements for his GED in the Navy.
He completed his recruit training at the Naval Recruit Training Depot at San Diego, California and then completed training as an electrician's mate. He served on ship and then applied for Seal Training and was accepted. He completed the training in June 1967 and then married Stephanie Huddleston, his childhood sweetheart from Sweetwater, July 15, 1967.
He completed a voluntary tour in Vietnam as a member of the 7th Seal Platoon from October 1967 through June 1968. He returned for a second tour with the 7th Seal Team from October 1968 through May 1969. He re-enlisted on June 15, 1969 and was promoted to AE1, E-6.
He began his third voluntary tour on December 12, 1969 and was a member of Seal Team 2. He had completed over 150 SEAL missions in his two previous tours and was the recipient of two purple hearts and many awards for valor. According to a SEAL buddy, he was loyal, fearless and was deadly with a Stoner Machine Gun. He went anywhere at anytime to complete a mission. To his buddies, he was known as "Litl Ashton." He died from multiple fragmentary wounds on December 27, 1969 near Ben Hoa during a training exercise with South Vietnamese personnel. It was felt that the incident was hostile as the trainee was perceived to have been a V.C. sympathizer and mishandled a live grenade and it exploded, killing Curtis and several trainees. He had been back in country a little over 2 weeks.
He was buried in the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Sweetwater with full military honors.
He was survived by his wife, Stephanie of Virginia Beach, Virginia; his parents of Sweetwater, his sisters, Helen Tommie of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Carol Nezat of Fort Walton, Florida; and his brothers, Troy of Glen Burnie, Maryland, Gene of Lovington, New Mexico, and Gayland of Pleasanton, Texas.
He was awarded the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, along with many awards for valor. He is remembered by the Permian Basin Vietnam Memorial in Midland, Texas.
Bio courtesy of Linda Kiser Miller
************************************
Vietnam Wall Inscription:
23 Race: Caucasian Male
Date of Birth: Nov 30, 1946
From: Sweetwater, TX
Religion: Protestant
Marital Status: Married
AE1 - E6 - Navy
Regular Length of service: 4 years
His tour began on Apr 15, 1969
Casualty was on Dec 27, 1969 in Bien Hoa, South Vietnam
Hostile, ground casualty, multiple fragmentation wounds
Body was recovered
Vietnam Wall: Panel 15W - Line 96
(Info courtesy of the Martinez Family - Jul. 6, 2010)
************************************
Following is a synposis of the Silver Star awarded to Curtis Ashton after his death:
ASHTON, CURTIS MORRIS
Synopsis:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Curtis Morris Ashton, Aviation Electrician First Class, U.S. Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Aviation Electrician First Class Ashton distinguished himself by intrepid actions on while serving with Detachment A, 4th Platoon, SEAL Team 2, Task Force 116. His unquestionable valor in close combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.
Born: November 30, 1946 at Rotan, Texas
Home Town: Sweetwater, Texas
(Synopsis provided courtesy of Paula J - Dec. 2014
************************************
On December 27, 1969, Ashton was killed in action when an explosion occurred near his patrol area 21 kilometers southeast of Nha Be. Ashton was in a water borne guard post, WBGP, with five seals and six PRU troops. They called in a light helicopter fire team, LHFT, to place a strike of lights south of their position. At 2345 hours, ordinance exploded within the guard post resulting in Ashton's death and the wounding of a PRU. He had been back in country a little over 2 weeks.
From a declassified document located and provided by Billy M. Brown - October, 2016.
*************************************
CURTIS MORRIS "BUTCH" ASHTON
Curtis Morris "Butch" Ashton was born in Rotan, Fisher County, Texas, the son of Alpha O and Elmer Atwood Ashton. He was the youngest of six children. His family moved to Sweetwater when he was seven years old and he attended Sweetwater Schools through the sophomore year. Before his junior year, he moved to Tye and lived with his older brother, Troy and attended school there. He moved back to Sweetwater and dropped out of high school his senior year and joined the Navy in January 1965. He completed the requirements for his GED in the Navy.
He completed his recruit training at the Naval Recruit Training Depot at San Diego, California and then completed training as an electrician's mate. He served on ship and then applied for Seal Training and was accepted. He completed the training in June 1967 and then married Stephanie Huddleston, his childhood sweetheart from Sweetwater, July 15, 1967.
He completed a voluntary tour in Vietnam as a member of the 7th Seal Platoon from October 1967 through June 1968. He returned for a second tour with the 7th Seal Team from October 1968 through May 1969. He re-enlisted on June 15, 1969 and was promoted to AE1, E-6.
He began his third voluntary tour on December 12, 1969 and was a member of Seal Team 2. He had completed over 150 SEAL missions in his two previous tours and was the recipient of two purple hearts and many awards for valor. According to a SEAL buddy, he was loyal, fearless and was deadly with a Stoner Machine Gun. He went anywhere at anytime to complete a mission. To his buddies, he was known as "Litl Ashton." He died from multiple fragmentary wounds on December 27, 1969 near Ben Hoa during a training exercise with South Vietnamese personnel. It was felt that the incident was hostile as the trainee was perceived to have been a V.C. sympathizer and mishandled a live grenade and it exploded, killing Curtis and several trainees. He had been back in country a little over 2 weeks.
He was buried in the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Sweetwater with full military honors.
He was survived by his wife, Stephanie of Virginia Beach, Virginia; his parents of Sweetwater, his sisters, Helen Tommie of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Carol Nezat of Fort Walton, Florida; and his brothers, Troy of Glen Burnie, Maryland, Gene of Lovington, New Mexico, and Gayland of Pleasanton, Texas.
He was awarded the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, along with many awards for valor. He is remembered by the Permian Basin Vietnam Memorial in Midland, Texas.
Bio courtesy of Linda Kiser Miller
************************************
Vietnam Wall Inscription:
23 Race: Caucasian Male
Date of Birth: Nov 30, 1946
From: Sweetwater, TX
Religion: Protestant
Marital Status: Married
AE1 - E6 - Navy
Regular Length of service: 4 years
His tour began on Apr 15, 1969
Casualty was on Dec 27, 1969 in Bien Hoa, South Vietnam
Hostile, ground casualty, multiple fragmentation wounds
Body was recovered
Vietnam Wall: Panel 15W - Line 96
(Info courtesy of the Martinez Family - Jul. 6, 2010)
************************************
Following is a synposis of the Silver Star awarded to Curtis Ashton after his death:
ASHTON, CURTIS MORRIS
Synopsis:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Curtis Morris Ashton, Aviation Electrician First Class, U.S. Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Aviation Electrician First Class Ashton distinguished himself by intrepid actions on while serving with Detachment A, 4th Platoon, SEAL Team 2, Task Force 116. His unquestionable valor in close combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.
Born: November 30, 1946 at Rotan, Texas
Home Town: Sweetwater, Texas
(Synopsis provided courtesy of Paula J - Dec. 2014
************************************
On December 27, 1969, Ashton was killed in action when an explosion occurred near his patrol area 21 kilometers southeast of Nha Be. Ashton was in a water borne guard post, WBGP, with five seals and six PRU troops. They called in a light helicopter fire team, LHFT, to place a strike of lights south of their position. At 2345 hours, ordinance exploded within the guard post resulting in Ashton's death and the wounding of a PRU. He had been back in country a little over 2 weeks.
From a declassified document located and provided by Billy M. Brown - October, 2016.
*************************************
Curtis Morris "Butch" Ashton was born in Rotan, Fisher County, Texas, the son of Alpha O and Elmer Atwood Ashton. He was the youngest of six children. His family moved to Sweetwater when he was seven years old and he attended Sweetwater Schools through the sophomore year. Before his junior year, he moved to Tye and lived with his older brother, Troy and attended school there. He moved back to Sweetwater and dropped out of high school his senior year and joined the Navy in January 1965. He completed the requirements for his GED in the Navy.
He completed his recruit training at the Naval Recruit Training Depot at San Diego, California and then completed training as an electrician's mate. He served on ship and then applied for Seal Training and was accepted. He completed the training in June 1967 and then married Stephanie Huddleston, his childhood sweetheart from Sweetwater, July 15, 1967.
He completed a voluntary tour in Vietnam as a member of the 7th Seal Platoon from October 1967 through June 1968. He returned for a second tour with the 7th Seal Team from October 1968 through May 1969. He re-enlisted on June 15, 1969 and was promoted to AE1, E-6.
He began his third voluntary tour on December 12, 1969 and was a member of Seal Team 2. He had completed over 150 SEAL missions in his two previous tours and was the recipient of two purple hearts and many awards for valor. According to a SEAL buddy, he was loyal, fearless and was deadly with a Stoner Machine Gun. He went anywhere at anytime to complete a mission. To his buddies, he was known as "Litl Ashton." He died from multiple fragmentary wounds on December 27, 1969 near Ben Hoa during a training exercise with South Vietnamese personnel. It was felt that the incident was hostile as the trainee was perceived to have been a V.C. sympathizer and mishandled a live grenade and it exploded, killing Curtis and several trainees. He had been back in country a little over 2 weeks.
He was buried in the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Sweetwater with full military honors.
He was survived by his wife, Stephanie of Virginia Beach, Virginia; his parents of Sweetwater, his sisters, Helen Tommie of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Carol Nezat of Fort Walton, Florida; and his brothers, Troy of Glen Burnie, Maryland, Gene of Lovington, New Mexico, and Gayland of Pleasanton, Texas.
He was awarded the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, along with many awards for valor. He is remembered by the Permian Basin Vietnam Memorial in Midland, Texas.
Bio courtesy of Linda Kiser Miller
************************************
Vietnam Wall Inscription:
23 Race: Caucasian Male
Date of Birth: Nov 30, 1946
From: Sweetwater, TX
Religion: Protestant
Marital Status: Married
AE1 - E6 - Navy
Regular Length of service: 4 years
His tour began on Apr 15, 1969
Casualty was on Dec 27, 1969 in Bien Hoa, South Vietnam
Hostile, ground casualty, multiple fragmentation wounds
Body was recovered
Vietnam Wall: Panel 15W - Line 96
(Info courtesy of the Martinez Family - Jul. 6, 2010)
************************************
Following is a synposis of the Silver Star awarded to Curtis Ashton after his death:
ASHTON, CURTIS MORRIS
Synopsis:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Curtis Morris Ashton, Aviation Electrician First Class, U.S. Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Aviation Electrician First Class Ashton distinguished himself by intrepid actions on while serving with Detachment A, 4th Platoon, SEAL Team 2, Task Force 116. His unquestionable valor in close combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.
Born: November 30, 1946 at Rotan, Texas
Home Town: Sweetwater, Texas
(Synopsis provided courtesy of Paula J - Dec. 2014
************************************
On December 27, 1969, Ashton was killed in action when an explosion occurred near his patrol area 21 kilometers southeast of Nha Be. Ashton was in a water borne guard post, WBGP, with five seals and six PRU troops. They called in a light helicopter fire team, LHFT, to place a strike of lights south of their position. At 2345 hours, ordinance exploded within the guard post resulting in Ashton's death and the wounding of a PRU. He had been back in country a little over 2 weeks.
From a declassified document located and provided by Billy M. Brown - October, 2016.
*************************************
Inscription
Texas AE1, U.S. Navy, Vietnam, BSM & 2 GS- NCM-NAM, 2 PH & 2 GS
