The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Joe M. Bean (ASN: 0-426865), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action while serving with the 19th Bombardment Group (Heavy), Far East Air Force, over Aparri, Philippine Islands, on 10 December 1941. Lieutenant Bean was the navigator of a B-17C type aircraft which took off from Clark Field not fully loaded with bombs, to search for an enemy aircraft carrier. On the return flight he was acting as navigator and fire control officer, when he sighted the enemy battleship HARUNA near Aparri. A bombing run was made, and the battleship was sunk. After the run, two enemy aircraft attacked Lieutenant Bean’s plane, but despite heavy enemy fire, this officer remained at his post directing the work of the gunners. Lieutenant Bean’s courage and determination in the face of enemy action are in accord with the finest traditions of the United States Air Corps.