The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Walter C. Beasley (NSN: 0-124892), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. During the afternoon of 30 June 1943, Lieutenant, Junior Grade Beasley of Fighting Squadron TWENTY-ONE (VF-21) was a member of a four-plane division of F-4F’s sent to Rendova Island to intercept an enemy attack on our shipping. While flying at thirteen thousand feet over Munda, enemy bombers were sighted on a course leading to our shipping. After making runs on Japanese bombers, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Beasley found three Zeros on his tail. Pulling up into a sharp climb, he executed a snap roll with the result that all three enemy fighters went past him. Finding one of the Zeros beneath him, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Beasley pushed over in a dive, got on the Zero’s tail, and shot the fighter down in flames. On 17 July 1943, he again took part in a flight against a large number of enemy planes, and displaying the same outstanding skill and determination, shot down two more Zeros. From 21 June 1943 through 17 July 1943, he took part in twenty-seven combat missions, flying a total of eighty-six hours. His actions were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.