MM2 Joseph “Joey” Ashley

US Navy, 24yrs

Jan 9th marks the anniversary of the passing of MM2 Joseph “Joey” Ashley. USN, 24 of Spencer WV.  Today we honor and remember Joey, his family. and his mother Vicki Ashley-Matics of Spencer WV.

Joey was born Sept 4th 1980 in Akron Ohio and died Jan 9th 2005. Joey was killed in an underwater collision while serving on his submarine the USS San Francisco (SSN-711) on patrol off the coast of Gaum. 

Joey was a 1999 graduate of Manchester High School, where he was a member of the marching band and was also a member of Boy Scout Troop 118. After graduation he chose to follow his father's footsteps and joined the Navy in 2001 and became a Navy Machinist 2nd Class.

Ashley died Jan. 9, 2005, when the submarine he was on, the U.S.S. San Francisco, struck an undersea mountain 360 miles southeast of Guam. The submarine was traveling at maximum speed and was submerged 525 feet when it struck the undersea mountain. Ashley was thrown 20 feet and struck his head on a large metal pump and was knocked unconscious.

According to the Ship’s Engineering Officer and Navigation Officer, Ashley had an impressive reputation at Naval Base Guam. As subs would pull in for repairs, especially diesel issues, they would first look to see if the San Francisco was in port in hopes that Ashley was on board and available to do the repairs, as he always seemed to know how to fix even the toughest problems.

He was also a member of both the Canal Fulton Baptist Church and the Akron Baptist Temple and frequented many other churches in the area. Wherever he was based, he found a church to attend. Joey never met a stranger. His personality captured and affected each of us in its own way, and his memory will remain in our hearts forever.

Let us remember him and his family and always...

Say his name.

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