"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Operations Officer on the Staff of Commander Destroyer Squadron Twenty-one on the Flagship USS Nicholas in night engagements with enemy surface forces in the Solomon Islands Area, July 5 to 13 and August 17-18, 1943. With complete understanding of objectives and tactics, (he) expertly assisted and advised his Squadron Commander in controlling and coordinating the attacks of the vanguard destroyers of a cruiser-destroyer force in which several enemy ships were sunk and many damaged. In a subsequent skillfully planned assault, his flagship led a destroyer division against an attacking force and by combined gun and torpedo fire, caused the destruction of two destroyers, sever damage to a third and the annihilation of a number of landing barges..."
"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of the USS LAFFEY during action against enemy Japanese forces in the Philippine Islands, Area in January 1945. Boldly penetrating dangerous restricted waters of Lingayen Gulf during the initial bombardment and assault at Luzon, Commander Becton fought his ship gallantly despite persistent attacks by hostile aircraft and devastating fire directed from Japanese shore batteries, successfully carrying out extensive antiaircraft screening missions, and bombardment of heavily fortified positions on the beach and providing effective fire support for underwater demolition units. By his expert his-handling, brilliant leadership and zealous devotion to duty in the face of grave peril, (he) contributed materially to the success of our forces in recapturing the Philippines..."
"About 1045 on the night of November 12-13, 1942, our forces engaged units of the Japanese fleet in the Guadalcanal Area. during this action the ship suffered 9 direct hits and had a total of 70 casualties, killed and wounded. during the latter stages while the action was still in progress, Lieutenant Commander Becton made several trips to the firerooms and engine rooms in order to attempt to keep them in operation and establish communications with the bridge. Immediately after the ship went dead in the water, he took complete charge of the engineering department and under extremely difficult circumstances and by exceptional effort, regained power, enabling the ship to open the firing range of an enemy battleship. It is considered this action was vitally instrumental in saving the ship, as we were shelled by this battleship at a later time, and no further hits were obtained on the ship."
"For skillful land effective performance of duty as Operation Officer on the staff of Commander Destroyer Squadron Twenty-One in the night engagements with enemy Japanese surface forces of Kolmbangara Island, New Georgia Group, Solomon Islands, on July 5-6, and July 12-13, 1943. On both occasions the squadron flagship led the destroyers in the van and attacked enemy ships with guns and torpedoes. As a result of these attacks several enemy ships were destroyed and damaged. By his courageous and persevering performance of duty under fires, (he) materially assisted the squadron Commander in controlling and coordinating the attacks of the destroyers in the van..."
"For outstanding performance in action against enemy Japanese forces of Kolombangara Island, New Georgia Group, Solomon Islands, on the night of July 5-6, 1943. After waging a vigorous battle as part of the small Task Force which destroyed a superior Japanese surface force, the NICHOLAS remained behind with an accompanying destroyer to save the survivors of the torpedoed USS HELENA. Forced to clear the area on three occasions during rescue operations, she gallantly fought off continuing attacks by Japanese warships emerging from Kula Gulf and, with the other destroyer, sank or damaged an enemy light cruiser and two destroyers with deadly torpedo and gunfire, returning to the area after each onslaught to complete the heroic rescue of more than seven hundred survivors...."
"For Extraordinary heroism in action as a Picket Ship on Radar Picket Station Number One during an attack by approximately thirty enemy Japanese planes, thirty miles northwest of the Northern tip of Okinawa, April 16, 1945. fighting her guns valiantly against waves of hostile suicide planes plunging toward her from all directions, the USS LAFFEY sent up relentless barrages of antiaircraft fire during an extremely heavy and concentrated air attack. Repeatedly finding her targets, she shot down eight enemy planes clear of the ships and damaged six more before they crashed on board. Struck by two bombs, crash-dived by suicide planes and frequently strafed , she withstood the devastating blows unflinchingly and, despite sever damage and heavy casualties, continued to fight effectively until the last plane had been driven of. The courage, superb seamanship and indomitable determination of her officers and men enable the LAFFEY to defeat the enemy against almost insurmountable odds..."
