Naval History and Heritage Command

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Philip Frederic Ashler was born in Ridgewood, Long Island, New York, on October 15, 1914, son of Philip and Charlotte (Barth) Ashler. From October 1931 to October 1935 he had enlisted service in the Fleet Marine Corps Reserve. Graduated with honors from St. John’s College with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1935, he was Class President and Editor of St. John’s Analyst. Two years later he received his Master’s degree in Business Administration from Harvard University. He was commissioned Ensign in the Supply Corps of the U.S. Navy on August 15, 1938, and through subsequent promotions advanced to the rank of Captain to date from August 1, 1956.

Reporting for active duty on August 18, 1938, he attended the Naval Finance and Supply School at Philadelphia, and after graduation in May 1949 joined the USS Arkansas as Disbursing Officer. He remained on board that battleship until January 1941, when he was transferred to the USN Mobile Base Hospital #1, as Supply, Disbursing and Commissary Officer. He was serving in that capacity when the United States entered World War II in December 1941, and continued until June 1942.

From July to December 1942 he was an instructor at the Navy Supply Corps School, Harvard University, and for nine months thereafter was Officer in Charge of the Navy Supply Corps School (WAVES) at Radcliffe College. He again went to sea in October 1943, this time as Supply Officer of the USS Nevada, a battleship in the Atlantic Fleet in which he participated in the Invasion of Normandy in June 1944 and the Invasion of Southern France, August-September 1944. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V,” and cited as follows:

“For heroic service as Supply Officer of the USS Nevada, during the invasion of France from June 6 to 25, 1944. With his ship remaining at General Headquarters for a period of eighty hours during the initial assault and subsequent operations, Commander (then Lieutenant Commander) Ashler contributed materially to the morale of the officers and men by providing food and by giving an accurate up-to-the-minute account of the invasion over a special microphone on the open bridge. By his leadership, professional skill and devotion to duty, (he) upheld the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.”

He remained on board the Nevada after she was transferred from the European Theater to the Pacific, and participated in the assault and occupation of Iwo Jima before his detachment in April 1945. He then reported to the Naval Supply Depot, Pearl Harbor, T.H., where he served throughout the remaining war period, and until July 1946. Before his return to the United States, he served briefly as Special Assistant to the District Supply Officer, Fourteenth Naval District.

From August to December 1946 he had duty as Control Group Officer at the Naval Supply Depot, Bayonne, New Jersey. He remained there to serve as Deputy Electronic Supply Officer, Electronic Supply Officer, until July 1947, then moved that control point to Great Lakes, Illinois, where he remained until June 1948. Next ordered to the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Washington, D.C., he served first as Executive Officer, Procurement Division of the Munitions Board until June 1949, and for two years thereafter as Chief, Office of Small Business, and on the staff of the Assistant Secretary of Defense.

He returned to the Naval Supply Center, Pearl Harbor, in July 1951, and for two years served as Officer in Charge, Ships Supply Depot, with a brief period as Officer in Charge, General Supply Depot. In July 1953 he reported to the Bureau of Supplies and Accounts, Navy Department, Washington D.C., and from September 19, 1953, was assigned to the Bureau of Ordnance, as Assistant Director for Supply, Material Division. In August 1955 he reported to the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, Ft. Leslie J. McNair, Washington, D.C., graduating in June 1956. Since that time he has served as Supply Officer, Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida.

In addition to the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V,” Captain Ashler wears the American Defense Service Medal, Fleet Clasp; the American Campaign Medal; European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three engagement stars; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with one star; World War II Victory Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Korean Service Medal (with Fleet Marine Combat Operations Insignia and one star); the United Nations Service Medal; and the Korean Presidential Unit Citation with Oak Leaf Cluster.

Ashler was later promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral.

He died in Tallahassee, Florida on April 17, 2009.

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