BURLESON - Joshua resident Jim Ashcraft was given two U.S. Navy medals 61 years after they were earned during an emotional presentation Friday afternoon.

Rep. Chet Edwards made the presentation of the Navy Air Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross during the Area Veterans Leaders meeting at the Burleson Public Library.

Ashcraft family members from as far away as Atlanta, Ga., attended the program,

Ashcraft was born in Rio Vista April 27, 1924, and joined the U.S. Navy Sept. 17, 1942. He attended boot camp and aviation radio school in Corpus Christi.

Edwards said his father was a pilot and instructor at Corpus Christi at the same time Ashcraft was undergoing training.

Ashcraft was assigned to the USS Monterey and USS Croatan in the Atlantic in 1943. In December of that year he was assigned to torpedo squadron 14 on the USS Wasp, where he served as aviation radioman second class in the Pacific Theater.

When he was discharged Jan. 15, 1945, he was awarded the EAME Medal, Victory Medal, American Campaign, Good Conduct, Asiatic-Pacific, Philippine Liberation and Air Medals.

Edwards said once in a while men and women who served our country many years ago in a distinguished way may not have been appropriately and formally honored by a nation for their service, and this was such a case.

Edwards said his office was contacted about the status of the medals that had been approved but never received.
The U.S. Navy Personnel Operations Department was contacted and asked to expedite the process.

Edwards said it was his honor to present the medals on behalf of the country and the president.

The congressman said he was speaking from the heart as a father of two sons and said in reference to all U.S. World War II veterans, “I am grateful for your sacrifices and heroic service during World War II. There is a reason you were called the Greatest Generation.”

Edwards said people today can only imagine what the world would look like today “if it had not been for Americans who sacrificed so much and who were away from their families for so long and for the many who never came back as this nation stood up to its enemies. If it weren't for these men and women, there is no telling what language we might be speaking.”

Edwards said to Ashcraft before he presented the two medals, “I would like to say to you please don't hold me responsible for the fact that it took our government 61 years to properly honor you and get your medals.”

The Navy Air Medal was presented to Ashcraft, who distinguished himself during an Oct. 26, 1944 attack on a Japanese destroyer in the Tablas Straits, Philippines, with a torpedo. The bow of the ship was blown off, and the ship was later beached and abandoned.

Ashcraft said he was told that in 1985 the ship was still on the beach.

The Distinguished Flying Cross was awarded for extraordinary achievement during service with the torpedo squadron from May 5 to July 26, 1944. He contributed to U.S. efforts, displayed loyal devotion to duty in the face of hazardous flying conditions and upheld the highest traditions of the U.S. Navy.

Ashcraft said he was “glad to get them.”

After his service in the Navy he played professional baseball for five years before going to work for the Santa Fe Railroad for 34 years.