The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Master Sergeant Melvin George Bean, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an AC-130 Gunship Aerial Gunner in Laos on 31 January 1971. On that date, while on a night armed reconnaissance mission over heavily defended hostile supply routes, he directly assisted in the damage or destruction of 26 hostile supply vehicles and the creation of several secondary fires and explosions. Laboring in total darkness, at high altitude, and often being violently thrown about the aircraft by the violent evasive action, he kept the guns loaded and working throughout the mission. Never once did the attack falter for want of an operational weapon. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Bean reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Sixth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Master Sergeant Melvin George Bean, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an AC-130 Gunship Aerial Gunner in Laos on 29 March 1971. On that date, while on a night armed reconnaissance mission over heavily defended hostile supply routes, his actions led to the damage or destruction of 42 hostile supply vehicles, the creation of nine secondary fires and the ignition of 15 secondary explosions. This remarkable combat achievement was made possible by his outstanding ability to keep all the rapid fire cannons armed and operating in spite of the violent evasive maneuvers of the gunship to avoid accurate antiaircraft fire. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Bean reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Master Sergeant Melvin George Bean, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an AC-130 Gunship Aerial Gunner in Laos on 1 February 1971. On that date, while on a night armed reconnaissance mission over heavily defended hostile supply routes, he directly assisted in the damage or destruction of 24 hostile supply vehicles, the creation of nine sustained fires and the ignition of 39 secondary explosions. Despite being violently thrown about the aircraft during evasive maneuvers made by the pilot to avoid intense and accurate antiaircraft fire and having to work in nearly total darkness, Sergeant Bean kept the aircraft’s guns operational. His exemplary fortitude under such adverse conditions assured successful mission accomplishment. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Bean reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Fourth Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Master Sergeant Melvin George Bean, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an AC-130 Gunship Aerial Gunner in Laos on 5 March 1971. On that date, while on a night armed reconnaissance mission over heavily defended hostile supply routes, he directly assisted in the damage or destruction of 43 hostile supply vehicles, and the creation of nine secondary fires and explosions. Leading and servicing the aircraft armament system with skill and determination, his efforts were a part of one of the most successful missions in the annals of the AC-130 Gunship program, and denied large quantities of badly needed supplies to hostile forces in Southeast Asia. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Bean reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Master Sergeant Melvin George Bean, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an AC-130 Gunship Aerial Gunner in Laos on 13 February 1971. On that date, while on a night armed reconnaissance mission over heavily defended hostile supply routes, he directly assisted in the damage or destruction of 41 hostile supply vehicles, the creation of 13 secondary fires and the ignition of seven secondary explosions. Despite the presence of intense and accurate antiaircraft fire, he continually pressed the attack and served as an inspiration to his crew. His skill and ability in the employment of the AC-130 Gunship systems resulted in the loss of great quantities of badly needed supplies destined for unfriendly hands in Southeast Asia. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Bean reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.