Marshall U. Beebe

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Marshall U. Beebe, Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of an carrier-based Navy Combat Plane embarked from the U.S.S. HORNET (CV-12), in action on 18 March 1945, while deployed over southern Kyushu, Japan. Lieutenant Commander Beebe led a flight of carrier-based fighter planes on a sweep over that area with the dual mission of destroying any airborne opposition and strafing air fields. During the course of the flight many enemy fighter planes were encountered and he and his squadron shot down a total of twenty-five enemy planes, probably destroyed three more and damaged others. He personally accounted for five enemy planes (fighters), all of which flamed and were seen to crash. During the same flight he led an attack, through anti-aircraft fire, on an airfield which resulted in the destruction of six parked aircraft and damage to airfield installations. His entire flight returned to the carrier without injury to any pilot or serious damage to any of our aircraft. His courage and skill were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Commander, 1st Carrier Task Force, Pacific: Serial 0792 (July 6, 1945)