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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 Lieutenant Ernest M. Beauchamp (NSN: 0-85791), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as pilot of a carrier-based fighter airplane in Fighting Squadron EIGHT (VF-8), embarked in U.S.S. ESSEX (CV-9), assigned to a fighter sweep against aircraft and installations in the vicinity of Formosa on 12 October 1944. He personally shot down and destroyed three enemy fighter airplanes and probably destroyed another thus contributing materially to the success of the operation. His skill, coolness and courage were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 8 (VF-8)

    Action Date:

    September 18 – October 17, 1944

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Third Gold Star in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander Ernest M. Beauchamp (NSN: 0-85791), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Fighter Pilot in in Fighting Squadron EIGHT (VF-8), during the period 18 September to 17 October 1944. (Strike/Flight Award)

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 8 (VF-8)

    Action Date:

    July 18 – 25, 1944

    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 Lieutenant Commander Ernest M. Beauchamp (NSN: 0-85791), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Fighter Pilot in in Fighting Squadron EIGHT (VF-8), during the period from 18 July to 25 July 1944. (Strike/Flight Award)

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 8 (VF-8)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Bunker Hill (CV-17)

    Action Date:

    June 20, 1944

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Ernest M. Beauchamp (NSN: 0-85791), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as pilot of an escort fighter in Fighting Squadron EIGHT (VF-8), embarked in U.S.S. BUNKER HILL (CV-17), with an Air Group attacking the Japanese Fleet on 20 June 1944. With great courage and determination and without regard for his own safety, he flew through intense enemy anti-aircraft fire of all calibers to protect the airplanes he was escorting. With his division he determinedly attacked by strafing an enemy destroyer, setting it on fire and leaving it burning furiously and in such condition that it is considered to have been probably sunk. He returned to his carrier during darkness under extraordinary conditions that presented great obstacles. His conduct throughout the operation was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Batallion:

    Fighter Squadron 51 (VF-51)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Essex (CV-9)

    Action Date:

    September 11, 1951
    Commander 7th Fleet: Serial 541 (March 6, 1952)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Fourth Gold Star in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander Ernest M. Beauchamp (NSN: 0-85791), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as the leader of a division of jet fighters attached to and serving with Fighter Squadron FIFTY-ONE (VF-51), based on board U.S.S. ESSEX (CV-9), during action against the enemy forces in North Korea. On 11 September 1951, Lieutenant Commander Beauchamp led his division on armed reconnaissance of the heavily defended enemy supply route between Wonsan and Changim-ni. Flying through extremely heavy and accurate anti-aircraft fire and marginal weather, he and his division attacked two enemy trucks, destroying one and severely damaging the second. Continuing their reconnaissance, Lieutenant Commander Beauchamp sighted two locomotives and approximately twenty box cars. With courageous efficiency and with utter disregard for his personal safety, he repeatedly led his division in devastating and accurate bombing and strafing runs through heavy anti-aircraft fire and partial cloud coverage. By his outstanding leadership and superb airmanship, Lieutenant Commander Beauchamp and his division succeeded in damaging two locomotives and burning eight box cars, thereby inflicting extensive and costly damage on the enemy. His gallant devotion to duty was at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.