The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Ensign Joseph Vance Beaty (NSN: 0-337539), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a pilot of a carrier-based dive bomber in an attack on an aircraft plant in the Tokyo area early in 1945. Diving through heavy anti-aircraft fire and fighter opposition he pressed home his attack with determination, obtaining hits on buildings in the target area, contributing materially to the destruction of enemy installations. He displayed excellent airmanship in maintaining a close formation against enemy fighter opposition to and from the target. His skill and courage were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.