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4 Feb 2003
James "Jimmy" Cashman was the only child of Con and Mary Cashman. He joined 2nd Platoon, Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines on April 17, 1969. He was killed on August 12, 1969 while covering the withdrawal of his squad which had rushed to defend a two man listening post who were under attack by upwards of a hundred enemy soldiers. He died in this effort but his squad mates were able to withdraw. For his actions that night he was given the Silver Star medal for which he so richly deserved. He was a good Marine.
Semper Fi
From a fellow Marine.
neilesmokey2@cs.com
Jim Cashman, Vietnam, 1969
Twenty years after Jim Cashman died in Vietnam, he received a posthumous award of the Silver Star.
Colonel Brian Fagan, Jim's Company Commander at the time of Jim's death presenting the Silver Star Medal to Jim's Mom, Mary Cashman, 1989.
THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
Washington
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the SILVER STAR MEDAL (posthumously) to
LANCE CORPORAL
CORNELIUS J. CASHMAN
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
for service as set forth in the following
CITATION:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company D, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, Fleet Marine Forces, operating against hostile enemy forces in the Republic of Vietnam. At about 0400 on 12 August 1969, Lance Corporal Cashman's unit was attacked by a numerically superior enemy force of North Vietnamese Army regular soldiers. The listening post was taken under fire and unable to withdraw to friendly lines. One squad was directed to bring them back to the defensive perimeter. Lance Corporal Cashman unhesitatingly grabbed his M60 machine gun and ammunition and proceeded to accompany the rifle squad forward providing protective fire and verbal reassurance to the listening post that relief was on the way. As the enemy small arms , mortar, and grenade fire intensified around the Marines he moved more to the front to provide covering fire. Following the successful link-up the Marines began to withdraw, again supported by the violent and effective fire of Lance Corporal Cashman. He remained forward, single-handedly holding off the advance of the enemy company, while his fellow Marines returned to friendly lines. He was last seen alive firing his machine gun from his hip, killing , wounding, and stopping the onrushing enemy attackers. Lance Corporal Cashman was killed by enemy small arms fire, while holding his position, valiantly giving his life to ensure the safety of his fellow Marines. By his daring, heroic actions and loyal devotion to duty in the face of extreme personal risk, Lance Corporal Cashman reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
For the President,
William L. Ball
Secretary of the Navy
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