MM2 Joseph A. Ashley, U.S. Navy
September 4, 1980 – January 9, 2005
Joey grew up in Manchester, Ohio, and graduated from Manchester High School in 1999. He played drums in the marching band and was a member of the Boy Scouts.
He joined the U.S. Navy in April 2001. By February 2002, he reported for duty aboard the nuclear submarine USS San Francisco. On December 18 of that year, the USS San Francisco arrived at its new homeport in Apra Harbor, Guam. In June 2004, Joey earned his Submarine Warfare Insignia—known as “Dolphins”—a prestigious pin awarded after a rigorous year-long qualification process covering all submarine systems. The achievement reflected his dedication and technical skill. He became widely respected at Naval Base Guam for his ability to solve even the most difficult problems.
On January 8, 2005, while operating at full speed at a depth of 525 feet—about 364 nautical miles southeast of Guam—the USS San Francisco struck an uncharted underwater mountain. Joey sustained severe head injuries and died the next day. Although all 136 crew members were injured, he was the only fatality. The submarine’s pressure hull remained intact, and the nuclear reactor was undamaged. Many credit Joey’s meticulous maintenance of the diesel engine with enabling the crew to surface the vessel and return safely to Guam.
His legacy lives on through his family, friends, and shipmates, as well as a bridge and a portion of highway named in his honor.
