ASHLEY-JOSHUA

K9  HANDLER  KIA  IN  AFGHANISTAN  -  7/19/2012

Joshua Ryan Ashley was born in Upland, California, on May 27, 1989. grew up in nearby Rancho Cucamonga, and graduated from high school in 2007.  He came from a tightly knit law enforcement family and his dream was to become a police officer.  In school he was known as a leader and was the team captain for every team in which he played which included the Water Polo, Swimming, and Roller Hockey teams. 

With a desire to serve and protect he joined the Marine Corps and following recruit training at San Diego in October 2008, he was sent to Okinawa where he served for two years.  Here in 2010 Ashley was recognized for his accomplishments and was honored as Okinawa Marine of the Quarter and subsequently Okinawa Marine of the Year.  In line with his career goal of becoming a policeman this tour was followed by assignment to Camp Lejeune where he underwent training as a Military Policeman/Military Working Dog Handler and was paired with a four-year old female German Shepherd named Sirius.  In May 2012, then LCPL Ashley and Sirius were deployed to Afghanistan for duty with the Second Law Enforcement Battalion, Second Marine Expeditionary Force.  On July 19, 2012, Ashley and Sirius were conducting combat operations in Zombalay, Helmand Province, when Ashley was unfortunately killed by an Improvised Explosive Device.  Fortunately, Sirius survived the IED explosion.

Ashley was posthumously promoted to the rank of Sergeant.  His mother subsequently reported that her son contacted her regularly by skype and during their last conversation he told her he needed her to take Sirius to keep him safe so he could adopt Sirius when he was able to do so.  Thus, after her son’s death, Sirius was soon adopted by SGT Ashley’s mother and now lives with her in California.  On January 1, 2018, Sirius and Mrs. Ashley rode together as they were honored as heroes at the annual Rose Parade in Pasadena, California.  In addition, on March 27, 2015 the Enforcement Battalion Military Working Dog Kennel Building at Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, was named in SGT Ashley’s honor.  A fellow K9 Handler commented, “At first glance he was an intimidating guy.  But, he’s probably the most genuine person I’ve ever met in my life.  He led by example.  There’s no other perfect Marine that I know of.”  Also in memory of SGT Ashley, his mother wrote the words to the song “K9 Brother” which is performed by prominent musical groups and includes the following phrase:

“On night patrol that fateful day

They came to a stream along the way

Josh picked up his best friend and threw him across

Just a few steps later one life was saved, One life was lost”

SGT Joshua Ryan Ashley is buried at Bellevue Memorial Park in Ontario, California, where his memorial marker carries the inscription:  SGT  -  US MARINE CORPS  -  AFGHANISTAN.

                            

                                                SIRIUS AT HER RETIREMENT CEREMONY 

Submitted by CDR Roy A. Mosteller, USNR (Ret)