— —

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Captain George M. Ashmun (MCSN: 0-11906), United States Marine Corps, for heroism while participating as a section leader with Marine Fighting Squadron TWO HUNDRED FOURTEEN (VMF-214), during action against enemy Japanese forces in the Central and Northern Solomons areas in the period extending from 12 September 1943 to 24 October 1943, and as a division leader with the same squadron against the same enemy during the period extending from 27 November 1943 to 3 January 1944. During these periods, which included particularly great activity on the part of the enemy, Captain Ashmun flew a total of 148.7 combat hours on 67 separate missions, including fighter sweeps, patrols, strike escorts, task force cover and strafing assignments, until reported mission on 3 January 1944. On 29 September 1943, Captain Ashmun was flying the third aircraft which after completing a task force cover assignment, located and destroyed two barges at Tombula Point on Kolombangara Island. On 19 October 1943, Captain Ashmun took off at 0450 as section leader in a division of four aircraft led by Major Gregory Boyington. With the aircraft separated by very heavy weather, Captain Ashmun alone strafed the revetment area on the heavily protected Ballalle airstrip. This record of outstanding conscientious performance of duty was climaxed on 3 January 1944, when Captain Ashmun was lost while protecting the wing of his squadron commander, as they led a fighter sweep to attack a numerically superior force of Japanese fighter planes on the strongly defended Rabaul area. On all his missions Captain Ashmun performed his duties with cool courage, heroism, outstanding loyalty and superior airmanship, and his actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.