The  President of the  United States  takes  pleasure  in  presenting  the SILVER STAR MEDAL to

for service as set forth in the following

               CITATION:

                              "For  conspicuous  gallantry  and  intrepidity  in action while serving  as  a  Pilot  with  Marine  Medium  Helicopter  Squadron  364,   Marine Aircraft Group Sixteen, First Marine Aircraft Wing  in connection  with  combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam.  On the afternoon of 8 April 1969, First Lieutenant Beebe launched as Aircraft Commander of a CH-46 transport  helicopter  assigned the  emergency  medical  evacuation of a casualty from a  nine-man Marine  reconnaissance  team which  was  heavily  engaged  in combat  with  a  large  North Vietnamese Army  force  deep in enemy-controlled territory in Quang Nam Province.   Arriving  over the designated area and learn- ing that the outnumbered Marines were moving with the wounded man toward a river, he resolutely elected to attempt the extraction of the entire team and, skill- fully maneuvering his aircraft to avoid the tall trees,  established  a hover  with a portion  of  his CH-46  submerged in the river.  Unable to break contact with the hostile force, the Marines fought their way to the river's  edge and began wading out  to the helicopter  while continuing  to return fire  on the  enemy.  When  the mechanism to lower the ramp malfunctioned, First Lieutenant Beebe  dipped the rear of the aircraft into the current so that the open hatch above the ramp would be  accessible.   While his aerial gunners  provided  covering  fire  and  the  flight surgeon  and  crew  chief  jumped into the  chest-deep  water to  assist  the  team aboard,  First Lieutenant Beebe  expertly manipulated his controls  and skillfully maintained his difficult  hover  until  all  the  Marines  were  aboard.   When  the water  inside  the helicopter caused  its nose to  suddenly pitch  into the air as he was  lifting  out  of  the  river,  endangering  the  passengers  who  started to  fall toward  the ramp  opening,  he resolutely fought and regained control of the air- craft  before  any of the  Marines had fallen out.   Although  his  aircraft's  rotor blades  were cutting tree  branches and water  was draining from the fuselage, he lifted safely  out  of  the  perilous  area  and  proceeded  to  the  nearest  medical facility.   By his courage, superior aeronautical ability, and unwavering devotion to duty  in the  face of great personal danger, First Lieutenant Beebe  was instru- mental in saving the lives of his fellow Marines and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service."