Spc. Ashley of Independence, Mo., graduated from Truman High School in Independence in 2002 where he was a musician in the school band. He was known as "Benjamin Saxophone" from the band jacket he would always wear, He played the baritone saxophone and participated in concert, jazz and marching band at the school. He worhed hard and eventually made it to the highest band ensemble. Not long after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the band got to march at Arrowhead Stadium. Just the week before games were canceled because of 9/11, and for the first game they needed a band for halftime. Being a Chiefs fan he was so excited. While still in high school he showed an interest in joinging the military hoping to pave a way to college. Not one to forget his roots, he would always go back to the school and see how everyone was doing. Since the age of 5, Benjamin wanted to be in the army. He would say, 'I want to be a G.I. Joe. I want drive a tank. I want to run the bad guys over. He realized that goal when he enlisted in the United States Army and began serving in the 1st Infantry Division in September 2005. He was a field artillery tactical data systems specialist. This was his first deployment. Ben leaves behind a widow, a 2-year old son, his parents and a sister. He died in Iraq after an improvised explosive device exploded near the vehicle at age 22.
Army
1st Battalion
5th Field Artillery Regiment
1st Brigade
1st Infantry Division
Fort Riley
Army
1st Battalion
5th Field Artillery Regiment
1st Brigade
1st Infantry Division
Fort Riley
Spc. Ashley of Independence, Mo., graduated from Truman High School in Independence in 2002 where he was a musician in the school band. He was known as "Benjamin Saxophone" from the band jacket he would always wear, He played the baritone saxophone and participated in concert, jazz and marching band at the school. He worhed hard and eventually made it to the highest band ensemble. Not long after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the band got to march at Arrowhead Stadium. Just the week before games were canceled because of 9/11, and for the first game they needed a band for halftime. Being a Chiefs fan he was so excited. While still in high school he showed an interest in joinging the military hoping to pave a way to college. Not one to forget his roots, he would always go back to the school and see how everyone was doing. Since the age of 5, Benjamin wanted to be in the army. He would say, 'I want to be a G.I. Joe. I want drive a tank. I want to run the bad guys over. He realized that goal when he enlisted in the United States Army and began serving in the 1st Infantry Division in September 2005. He was a field artillery tactical data systems specialist. This was his first deployment. Ben leaves behind a widow, a 2-year old son, his parents and a sister. He died in Iraq after an improvised explosive device exploded near the vehicle at age 22.
Army
1st Battalion
5th Field Artillery Regiment
1st Brigade
1st Infantry Division
Fort Riley
Army
1st Battalion
5th Field Artillery Regiment
1st Brigade
1st Infantry Division
Fort Riley
Inscription
Corporal, U.S. Army, Iraq, Killed in Action, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Army Achievement Medal; Operation Iraqi Freedom; Loved Daddy, son, son, husband, brother
