Don Merril Beerbower

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Don Merril Beerbower (0-730341), Major (Air Corps), U.S. Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-51 Fighter Airplane in the 353d Fighter Squadron, 354th Fighter Group, NINTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 9 August 1944, in the European Theater of Operations. During the period from 1 January 1944 to 7 July 1944, Major Beerbower shot down fifteen enemy aircraft. He was killed while strafing a German airfield near Reims, France on 9 August 1944. Major Beerbower’s unquestionable valor in aerial combat, at the cost of his life, is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 9th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.