The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Captain Irwin Forest Beyerly (NSN: 0-62011), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States in action behind Japanese lines, and by exhibiting gallantry and determination in the performance of outstanding duty as Chief of Staff, U.S. Naval Group, China, and as Commander U.S. Naval Group, Eastern China, from 20 April 1944 to 4 September 1945. Captain Beyerly, by the exercise of great foresight and brilliant military judgment, rendered valiant service in coordinating the functions of these two commands, in directing joint United States Naval and Chinese guerrilla combat and sabotage offensive action within enemy-held territory which resulted in killing 26,799 of the enemy, wounding 11,642 and capturing 508 Japanese, destroying 183 bridges, 158 junks, 35 steamers, 1 aircraft, 343 railroad cars, 82 locomotives, 271 depots, warehouses and military buildings, 269 military vehicles and 3,803 sections of railroad track, thereby neutralizing enemy strong points in Eastern and Central China. He brought to bear unlimited energy, tact and discretion in ferreting out the problems and requirements necessary to maintain a varied and aggressive offensive action which contributed largely to the effective repulsion of enemy attacks. Through his thorough comprehension of the complex tasks assigned him, he was able to establish meteorological outposts throughout free and occupied China, providing the United States Fleet with the only timely and accurate weather information from the Asiatic mainland available for coordinated operations against the enemy. He activated communications and intelligence stations behind enemy lines, supplying vital information from inside China on Japanese logistics to our Fleet and submarines operating in the Western Pacific Ocean. He established coast watching stations, furnished enemy shipping targets for submarine and air force offensive action, conducted aerial mining of enemy controlled waters augmented by frequent ground and hydrographic reconnaissance. He further coordinated the essential factors necessary to penetrate deeply into enemy held territory to rescue downed aerial pilots and crewmen, which resulted in a total of 120 such officers and men being rescued and conducted back through Japanese lines to safety and subsequent return to their respective commands. He directed the installation of a direction finder net within enemy-held territory to cooperate simultaneously with the mid-Pacific net, taking bearings on enemy naval units and locating clandestine and spy radio transmitters. With total disregard to personal danger and with great daring, Captain Beyerly made numerous reconnaissance expeditions behind enemy lines to establish and coordinate the complex and varied missions of his command. His skill and tact in the coordination of United States Naval and Chinese military operations, his sound judgment in the preparation of plans and his brilliant direction of these vital operations contributed immeasurably to allied success in China. His leadership, aggressiveness, and performance of outstanding duty were of the highest order and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.