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Navy Federal Credit Union
Don
Merrill
Beerbower
KIA (WWII)
August 26, 1921

–

August 9, 1944

Cemetery:

A.B.M.C. Epinal

During World War II, Don Beerbower became a U.S. Army Air Forces TRIPLE ACE, credited with shooting down 15.5 enemy aircraft in aerial combat. He was killed in action on August 9, 1944, when his fighter was badly damaged and he attempted to bail out from an altitude too low for his parachute to open.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    353d Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    354th Fighter Group

    Division:

    9th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, 9th Air Force, General Orders No. 119 (May 1, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major (Air Corps) Don Merril Beerbower (ASN: 0-730341), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the European Theater of Operations, having participated in the required number of Operational sorties against the enemy. (Awarded in lieu of the 5th Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal.)

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    353d Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    354th Fighter Group

    Division:

    9th Air Force

    Action Date:

    June 14, 1944
    Headquarters, 9th Air Force, General Orders No. 267 (November 13, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pride in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Major (Air Corps) Don Merril Beerbower (ASN: 0-730341), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight against the enemy in the European Theater of Operations. On 14 June 1944, Major Beerbower led a flight of fighter aircraft in an attack against a superior force of enemy aircraft. Major Beerbower’s fearless attack, a single-handed dive into the enemy formation, made in the face of overwhelming odds, so scattered the enemy that it completely disrupted their formation, and he personally accounted for the destruction of one enemy aircraft. The deep devotion to duty and outstanding heroism demonstrated by Major Beerbower on this occasion is in keeping with the highest traditions of the service.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    353d Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    354th Fighter Group

    Division:

    9th Air Force

    Action Date:

    August 9, 1944
    Headquarters, U.S. Strategic Forces in Europe, General Orders No. 97 (December 11, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Major (Air Corps) Don Merrill Beerbower (ASN: 0-730341), United States 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, while leading his squadron on an armed reconnaissance mission in the European Theater of Operations. On that date, Major Beerbower located an enemy airfield on which many aircraft were parked. In order to test the ground defenses, Major Beerbower made an experimental pass at the field destroying an enemy plane and a gun emplacement. Then, while his squadron swept over the field from one direction, he fearlessly attacked from another quarter, boldly exposing himself to concentrated fire from all sides of the field and effectively screening his comrades from the intense ground fire. Major Beerbower’s airplane was struck repeatedly and crashed into the ground. The outstanding heroism and devotion to duty displayed by Major Beerbower on this occasion reflect highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    353d Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    354th Fighter Group

    Division:

    9th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, 9th Air Force, General Orders No. 48 (March 8, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major (Air Corps) Don Merril Beerbower (ASN: 0-730341), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the European Theater of Operations, having participated in the required number of Operational sorties against the enemy. (Awarded in lieu of the 5th Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal.)

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    353d Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    354th Fighter Group

    Division:

    9th Air Force

    Action Date:

    April 8, 1944
    Headquarters, 9th Air Force, General Orders No. 170 (June 30, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major (Air Corps) Don Merrill Beerbower (ASN: 0-730341), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry and intrepidity in action 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, during a deep-penetration bomber escort mission on 8 April 1944. When the bomber formation which his group was escorting was suddenly attacked by more than sixty enemy aircraft, Captain Beerbower immediately went to the aid of the endangered formation and with one wing man vigorously pressed home his attack against the numerically superior enemy forces, aggressively pressing home his attacks upon aircraft menacing both the bombers and friendly fighters. During the course of the running battle, by his intrepidity and unusual aerial proficiency, he destroyed a total of three enemy aircraft and damaged two others. The heroic actions of Captain Beerbower on this occasion are exemplary of the highest devotion to duty, and reflect great credit upon his combat proficiency.