The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Second Lieutenant Warren W. Bestwick (MCSN: 0-33743), United States Marine Corps Reserves, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in connection with military operations against the enemy in the Ryukyu Islands on 12 April 1945. Second Lieutenant Bestwick destroyed two enemy aircraft in aerial combat.
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Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Second LieutenantAction Date:
July 1 – 5, 1945
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Second Lieutenant Warren W. Bestwick (MCSN: 0-33743), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the Western Carolines from 1 July 1945 to 5 July 1945. Second Lieutenant Bestwick completed twenty flights in a combat area where enemy anti-aircraft fire was expected to be effective or where enemy aircraft patrols usually occurred. His conduct throughout has distinguished him among those performing duties of the same character.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Warren W. Bestwick (MCSN: 0-33743), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight against the enemy in Korea on 16 July 1952. Captain Bestwick, leading a flight of two attack aircraft, was directed to attack Ung-do Island where a large number of enemy troops were concentrated. After making several low-level reconnaissance runs to locate accurately the enemy positions, he initiated bombing and strafing attacks against them through heavy defensive fire. Captain Bestwick scored a direct bomb hit on one large troop-filled bunker. In his initial attack and in succeeding attacks he and his wingman destroyed two bunkers, damaged four additional bunkers and inflicted numerous casualties upon the enemy. Captain Bestwick’s skillful leadership and courageous devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.