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.
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Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
20th Tactical Air Support SquadronAction Date:
November 1, 1967
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders No. G-172 (January 16, 1968)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Captain Sam Festis Beach, Jr. (AFSN: 0-3156285), United States Air Force, for gallantry in action in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force as a Forward Air Controller of the 20th Tactical Air Support Squadron, directing fighter aircraft in Southeast Asia on 1 November 1967. On that date, Captain Beach rescued elements of a Special Forces reconnaissance patrol which had been overrun by numerically superior hostile forces and separated. Flying at treetop level in the face of continuous hostile ground fire, Captain Beach located the members of the patrol and successfully directed them to the only suitable landing zone in the area, where they were extracted. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Beach has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
First LieutenantAction Date:
February 16 – 18, 1966
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.