The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Army Award) to Ensign Roby A. Beal, United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in sustained operational flight missions in the Southwest Pacific area from 13 September 1943 to 30 December 1943, during which hostile contact was probable and expected.

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 Ensign Roby A. Beal, United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the Southwest Pacific Area. Ensign Beal, on the night of 30 – 31 August 1944, as co-pilot of a patrol plane entered the heavily defended harbor of Manado, Celebes, and in the face of intense heavy, medium, and light anti-aircraft fire, participated in an attack resulting in the sinking of a two thousand ton enemy merchantman. On the same patrol a 1,000 ton tanker was sunk in Banka Straits, Celebes, and a two-masted lugger, off Cape Poelang, was damaged. His actions on these occasions displayed a high degree of professional skill, courage, aggressiveness and devotion to duty and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.