The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Richard Belyea (MCSN: 0-10623), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a combat pilot, Division Leader and Commanding Officer of a Marine Dive Bombing Squadron in fifty combat missions against enemy gun positions, airfields, surface craft, and concentrations of supplies and personnel in the Solomon Islands and Bismarck Archipelago. During a successful strike against enemy installations on Ballale Airfield on 25 October 1943, Captain Belyea dropped his 1,000 pound bomb on a heavy gun emplacement. While pulling out of his dive he observed an enemy fighter parked in the revetment area which he strafed and extensively damaged. On another occasion during an attack against Vanapope, he scored a confirmed direct hit on a large warehouse, completely demolishing the structure. As Commanding Officer and flight leader of Marine Scout Bombing Squadron TWO HUNDRED FORTY-FOUR (VMSB-244), he skillfully led his squadron in several devastating raids against formidable enemy installations at Rabaul and Kavieng. His heroic conduct and consistent bravery under strenuous combat conditions contributed greatly to the severe damage which our air force inflicted on the enemy. The indomitable fighting spirit and inspiring devotion to duty consistently displayed by Captain Belyea were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.