The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pride in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Captain Sam Festis Beach, Jr. (AFSN: 0-3156285), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a Forward Air Controller near Khe Sanh, Republic of Vietnam, on 11 January 1968. On that date, Captain Beach was flying in support of a beleaguered Special Forces team deep in hostile territory under adverse weather conditions. By flying low over the area and exposing himself to heavy automatic weapons fire and intense small arms fire he was able to locate and silence most of the hostile fire, allowing the team to reach a landing zone from which it was successfully extracted by helicopter. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Beach reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

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 First Lieutenant Sam Festis Beach, Jr. (AFSN: 0-3156285), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot for Travis Air Force Base, California to Naha Air Base, Okinawa from 16 February 1966 to 18 February 1966. During this period Lieutenant Beach participated in the first transoceanic flight of F-102 aircraft utilizing the principle of aerial re-fueling. This historic flight directly contributed to the successful deployment of an entire Air Defense Command unit on a 7,000-mile mission while maintaining its full combat potential. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by First Lieutenant Beach reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.