As Adjutant of the 12th Medical Regiment, Philippine Scouts, Captain Ashton
served at Fort McKinley, before the War, and then was assigned to hospital
Number One on Bataan. As Chief of Surgery, he surrendered to the hospital
to the Japanese, and was held captive in Bilibid Prison for over three
years. During that period he was sent on the Tayabas and Bataan Salvage
Details. He attained the rank of Major, and was awarded two Bronze Stars
and a Purple Heart.
Grateful to God and his fellowmen for his life and liberty, Dr. Ashton
settled in Santa Barbara, California where he built a large private practice as
a Family Doctor and General Surgeon. He volunteered weekly at Santa
Barbara General Hospital and became Chief of Surgery at St. Francis Hospital.
Ashton was also an active member on the Board of Health and the local Medical
Society. Ultimately, he was responsible for founding the Tri-Counties
Blood Bank in 1950, and served as its first President.
With a group of General Practice Physicians, Dr. Ashton established the
Goleta valley Community Hospital and presided as its first administrator.
His special interest in Emergency Medicine led to construction of the
Helipad. Ashton is remembered as the Father of the Heart-Lung Institute at
GVCH, which brought cutting-edge technologies and world-renowned cardio-pulmonary
specialists to the Goleta Valley. In appreciation for his faithful
guidance, the Education Center in the Goleta Valley Medical Building was
dedicated to Dr. Ashton in 1989.
After retiring from medicine in 1990, Dr. Ashton published two books about
his experiences in World War II, and was active in several P.O.W.
groups.
Dr. Ashton is survived by his wife, Yvonne and by two children Laird Paul
Ashton and his wife, Alaine, and Yvonne Ashton.
The Bronze/Gold Star
Letter from the War Department:
WAR DEPARTMENT
The Adjutant General's Office
Washington 25, D.C.
9 September 1946
Dear Captain Ashton:
I have the honor to inform you that by direction of the President, under the provisions
of the executive Order No. 94l9, 4 February 1944, the Bronze Star Medal was awarded to
you by the War Department for heroism from 20 June to 28 July l942.
The Commanding General, Sixth Army, Presidio of San Francisco, California, has been
directed to present the Bronze Star Medal to you with suitable ceremony. Your wishes
relative to the date and presentation should be communicated to that officer.
Sincerely yours,
H.B. Lewis
Brigadier General
Acting The Adjutant General
The Citation:
CITATION FOR BRONZE STAR MEDAL
Captain Paul T. Ashton displayed heroic conduct as a Prisoner of War of the Japanese from
20 June to 28 July 1942 in Tayabas Province, Luzon, Philippine Islands. When advised that three
hundred Americans were undergoing most cruel treatment in a reprisal work camp he,
as a medical officer, volunteered to be sent there in an attempt to alleviate their condition.
When he returned with the survivors of the camp, his own health was so impaired as to require
several months' hospitalization.
The Gold-Star Citation:
SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
Washington
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Gold Star in lieu of the Second
Bronze Star Medal to
MAJOR PAUL LOUIS ASHTON
MEDICAL CORPS
ARMY OF THE UNITED STATES
for service as set forth in the following
CITATION:
"For meritorious service while performing volunteer duty as Medical Officer with the American
working party stationed at Little Bagulo on Bataan from April to July 1943. Arriving after a
long period of illness, Major Ashton reported to the Japanese Camp Commander and stated that he
had been assigned as Medical Officer to take charge of the health of American prisoners.
Ordered to serve as a Private in the rear ranks and work as a ship-loader, Major Ashton firmly
maintained his right to be treated as an American officer and doctor. During the heated argument
which followed, he was overpowered by Japanese soldiers, beaten severely and bound to a tree
with his hands tied behind his back. Although repeatedly subjected to the same brutal treatment
and to threats of death, Major Ashton withstood these indignities with courage and fortitude and,
upon learning that the Japanese Commander was suffering from a chronic disease, used his
professional skill in rendering service to the enemy in return for many concessions beneficial
to the prisoners. As a result of his influence over the Japanese Camp Commander, no more Americans
were beaten and no more Filipinos killed by these barbaric captors. By his gallant leadership,
determination and devotion to duty, Major Ashton upheld the highest traditions of the United States
Armed Forces."
The Purple Heart
The General Orders
ARMY SERVICE FORCES
NINTH SERVICE COMMAND
LETTERMAN GENERAL HOSPITAL
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
General Orders No. 8
19 March 1945
2. The award of the Order of the Purple Heart, is hereby conferred upon the following personnel.
AUTH: Par 16, AR 600-45.
MAJ PAUL L. ASHTON, 0 397 788, MC unasgd,
Address: 1114 Vicintia Ave., Corona, California
Wounded in action at Bataan, Philippine Islands, 5 April 1942.