The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Fourth Gold Star in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Byron H. Beswick (MCSN: 0-29003), United States Marine Corps, for heroism while participating in aerial flight against the enemy during the attack on enemy vehicles and supplies at the town of Hoeyang, Korea, on 20 April 1951. Captain Beswick organized, planned, and led his strike under extremely adverse weather conditions which included letting down through an overcast to the target over hazardous mountain terrain, and exposing himself to possible enemy anti-aircraft fire under the low ceiling. Captain Beswick, without regard for his own safety, led extremely low level strafing and level bombing attacks, necessitated by the low ceiling. Concussion from their bomb drops jarred their planes as they made their runs. An estimated fifteen trucks were destroyed and ten damaged. Several trucks loaded with inflammables were seen to explode. Before retiring from the target, when he had expended all of his ammunition, Captain Beswick called the succeeding flight, and directed them into the target area, where they found and destroyed nineteen more vehicles. His aggressive leadership, efficient action and fearless devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Byron H. Beswick (MCSN: 0-29003), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight against the North Korean forces on 3 September 1950, during the defense of the perimeter along the Naktong River. Captain Beswick led his section on repeated rocket and strafing runs on enemy troops along levees, in buildings, and in rice paddies, which were holding up the advance of friendly troops west of Yongsan. Captain Beswick’s section was required to make extremely low strafing runs in the face of intense small arms and anti-aircraft fire in order to observe their targets. He obtained four direct hits with five inch rockets on a large warehouse serving as a fuel storage dump, completely destroying it together with a number of adjacent buildings. As a result of the attacks, at least one hundred fifty enemy troops were killed and the survivors were forced to retreat from the area in a disorganized manner. His outstanding airmanship and aggressive actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.