DETOUR VILLAGE, MI-- A U.S. Coast Guardsman who lost his life more than 46 years ago while serving at the DeTour Reef Lighthouse was honored Thursday.
Members of area Coast Guard units and the DeTour Reef Lighthouse Preservation Society held a ceremony in DeTour Village for Don Ashley, Jr., 22, of Green Bay. He was making a trip on March 30, 1971 from the lighthouse to the village to retrieve supplies and another coast guardsman when his 16-foot boat capsized in icy conditions. A large wave washed over Ashley and he never resurfaced. His remains were never recovered.
He is the only Coast Guardsman to lose his life while serving at the light station.
Ashley’s siblings traveled from Wisconsin to attend the ceremony and accepted a plaque of remembrance of their brother. The plaque will be permanently affixed to the DeTour Reef Lighthouse.
