Marshall Beebe became a World War II Navy DOUBLE ACE, credited with shooting down 10.5 enemy aircraft in aerial combat.
Sponsored by:
Marshall
Ulrich
Beebe
August 6, 1913
–
March 18, 1991
Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Navy Cross
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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
U.S.S. Hornet (CV-12)Action Date:
February 16, 1945
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander Marshall U. Beebe (NSN: 0-77807), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight, as leader of a fighter sweep over the Tokyo area of Japan on 16 February 1945. He engaged enemy fighter planes which had attempted to intercept his formation, destroying one by setting it on fire and assisted in damaging another. He then led an attack, through anti-aircraft fire, on an enemy airfield resulting in destruction of parked aircraft. He also led strafing runs on two enemy merchant ships, both of which were left burning. The mission was completed despite extremely adverse weather conditions encountered to and from the target area. His courage and skill were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Navy Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderBatallion:
Fighting Squadron 17 (VF-17)Division:
U.S.S. Hornet (CV-12)Action Date:
March 18, 1945
Commander 1st Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 0792 (July 6, 1945)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander Marshall Ulrich Beebe (NSN: 0-77807), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of an carrier-based Navy Combat Plane and Commanding Officer of Fighting Squadron SEVENTEEN (VF-17), attached to 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.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderRegiment:
Air Group 5Action Date:
August 22, 1951 – January 12, 1952
Commander 7th Fleet: Serial 545 (March 6, 1952)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Commander Marshall U. Beebe (NSN: 0-77807), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander of Air Group FIVE. Discharging his many duties with diligence and ability, Commander Beebe participated in operations in the Korean Area during the period from 22 August 1951 to 12 January 1952. Thoroughly understanding all phases of air warfare and at all times exhibiting superb leadership, he inspired and indoctrinated his subordinates and constantly aided in planning and conducting successful strikes against the enemy. By his excellent judgment, outstanding professional skill, high moral courage and conscientious devotion to the fulfillment of an important task, he contributed directly and materially to the damage and devastation inflicted on the enemy. His conduct and devotion to duty was at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Commander Beebe is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderRegiment:
Carrier Air Group 17Division:
U.S.S. Hornet (CV-12)Action Date:
February 20 – April 23, 1945
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander Marshall U. Beebe (NSN: 0-77807), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in operations against the enemy from 20 February to 23 April 1945. As pilot of a carrier-based fighter plane he participated in twenty combat missions over Iwo Jima, southern Kyushu and the Nansei Shoto. During these twenty flights he performed his assigned duties with courage and determination which were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
U.S.S. Hornet (CV-12)Action Date:
April 7, 1945
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander Marshall U. Beebe (NSN: 0-77807), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as leader of a flight of carrier-based fighter planes on 7 April 1945. He took part in an attack on an enemy task force comprised of a battleship, cruisers and destroyers in the East China Sea. Diving ahead of dive bombers and torpedo planes through extremely intense anti-aircraft fire, he strafed destroyers of the screen contributing materially to the success of the attack which resulted in the sinking of the battleship and many of the other vessels of the force. His courage and skill were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderRegiment:
Carrier Air Group 5Division:
U.S.S. Essex (CV-9)Action Date:
October 28, 1951
Commander 7th Fleet: Serial 1182 (May 18, 1952)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Third Gold Star in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander Marshall U. Beebe (NSN: 0-77807), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flights as Commander, Carrier Air Group FIVE, attached to and serving on board the U.S.S. ESSEX (CV-9), against the enemy in the Sokyen area of North Korea. On 21 October 1951, while leading an armed reconnaissance flight of three jet fighter aircraft, Commander Beebe discovered, reconnoitered, and attacked in the face of the intense, accurate anti-aircraft fire, large key installations in the vicinity of Sokyen, North Korea. The volume of anti-aircraft fire convinced Commander Beebe that the target was of major importance. Confirming photographs were obtained and Commander Beebe made detailed plans for destroying the enemy installations and volunteered to lead the attack group. On 28 October 1951 Commander Beebe was in command of a strike group consisting of forty aircraft launched against the enemy installation at Sokyen, North Korea. Knowing full well that it was heavily defended by anti-aircraft batteries but determined to destroy this important target, Commander Beebe led the strike group in to the first attack. The anti-aircraft fire was heavy and accurate but fearlessly, courageously, and with utter disregard for his own safety Commander Beebe led six separate attacks on the target. His courageous leadership was a source of inspiration to the entire attack group. Although planes were damaged by the intense anti-aircraft fire each attack was pressed home, thereby succeeding in inflicting major damage to the enemy without the loss of a single aircraft. By his outstanding planning, courageous leadership, and superb airmanship in the face of tremendous odds, Commander Beebe contributed materially to the extensive and costly damage inflicted on the enemy. His zealous devotion to duty throughout reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.