The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Commander William Lewis Beck (NSN: 0-6497), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility as Executive Officer of the U.S.S. ROANOKE engaged in laying the Mine Barrage in the North Sea, and later as Commander of a mine sweeping division engaged in the difficult and hazardous operation of sweeping for and removing mines of this barrage under exceptionally difficult conditions.



