The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Bruce E. Beckman (MCSN: 0-95492), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Pilot with Marine All Weather Attack Squadron 242 (VMFA(AW)-242), FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in Southeast Asia. On 23 February 1968, Lieutenant Beckman launched as Aircraft Commander of an A-6 Intruder aircraft assigned a night bombing mission against a communications installation near Hanoi in North Vietnam. Realizing that the target area was heavily defended by radar-controlled anti-aircraft weapons, surface-to-air missiles and enemy interceptor aircraft, he closely coordinated his mission with supporting interceptor and electronic countermeasures aircraft. Utilizing his aircraft’s complex navigation systems, he approached the coast of North Vietnam and descended to a low altitude through rugged mountain terrain in order to shield his aircraft from enemy radar. While proceeding along the designated flight path, he was alerted to enemy radar acquisition of his aircraft by his electronic countermeasures equipment. Immediately executing a series of evasive maneuvers, he successfully eluded numerous hostile surface-to-air missiles launched against his aircraft. Quickly returning to his attack heading, Lieutenant Beckman was preparing to release his ordnance when three additional enemy missiles were observed approaching his aircraft. Again evading the missiles through his skilled airmanship, he manually released his ordnance on target and quickly departed the hazardous area through intense North Vietnamese anti-aircraft weapons fire. Although an inspection for battle damage at an alternate air base revealed numerous hits to the aircraft, it was refueled and returned to the DaNang Air Base. By his courage, exceptional aeronautical skill and steadfast devotion to duty in the face of extreme danger, Lieutenant Beckman accomplished the hazardous mission and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.