The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major John D. Beck (MCSN: 0-24943), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight against the enemy as a member of a Marine Fighter Squadron in Korea. On 1 March 1953, Major Beck led a flight of four jet fighter-bombers on a close air support mission to relieve enemy pressure upon elements of the FIRST Marine Division. As the flight orbited over the pre-briefed target area, an emergency call was received directing it to assist elements of the U.S. 7th Division which were under fire from a self-propelled heavy gun then inflicting considerable damage upon friendly troops. Although well concealed and located in precipitous terrain which made it inaccessible to friendly artillery and mortar fire, Major Beck quickly located the target and expeditiously maneuvered the flight into the best position for the attack. Initiating a daring low-level napalm attack through increasingly accurate anti-aircraft and small arms fire, he successfully silenced the enemy weapon, leaving the entire area engulfed in flames. He then led the flight on repeated strafing runs to insure complete destruction of the target. Major Beck’s daring courage and unerring marksmanship contributed substantially in relieving hostile pressure on the hard pressed troops of the U.S. 7th Division. His courageous actions, superb airmanship and steadfast devotion to duty throughout reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.