Recovered WWII soldier had Mountain Home ties

World War II Soldier’s remains being escorted from Rost Funeral Home in Mountain Home by members of the Idaho State Police, Patriot Riders and family members on Oct. 20 for the trip to Emmett for burial. Army PFC Fred W. Ashley was buried with full military honors later in the day.

WASHINGTON-- The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced that the remains of a U.S. serviceman, accounted for from World War II, were returned to his family for burial with full military honors.

Army Pfc. Fred W. Ashley, 22, of Emmett, Idaho, accounted for on Aug. 27, 2018, was buried October 20 in his hometown. In May 1945, Ashley was a member of Troop C, 2nd Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Group, on a reconnaissance in the town of Paseka, in the former Czechoslovakia. On 4 May, as many as three hundred German soldiers attacked Ashley’s platoon. He was mortally wounded and was last seen being taken away by German troops. Ashley’s unit reported him missing in action as of May 4, 1945. Following the war, when Ashley was not among the American prisoners liberated from German captivity, the War Department amended his status to killed in action. His remains were not recovered following the battle. For the full story, pick up a copy of the Mountain Home News or click on this link to subscribe to the newspaper's online edition.