[1] During World War II, he participated in the Battle of Midway and 12 combat patrols, earning 10 decorations for gallantry, including the Navy Cross.

He served as executive officer under Lieutenant Commander George L. Street, who was awarded the Medal of Honor for a making a daring attack in a heavily defended Japanese harbor during Tirante's first war patrol from March 3 to April 26, 1945.

The war ended on August 14 and Piper was in Japanese waters when the formal surrender was signed on September 2 and started her return to Pearl Harbor the next day.

[2] In December 1945, Beach reported to the Department of the Navy to serve as the personal aide to Vice Admiral Louis E. Denfeld, the chief of the Bureau of Naval Personnel.

Amberjack gained the nickname "Anglejack" because of its pioneering use of steep diving and surfacing angles, which was covered in the January 1950 edition of the National Geographic magazine.

"[9] Beach's tour as skipper of Amberjack was abbreviated as he was called to Washington to serve as naval aide to General Omar Bradley, the first Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in August 1949.

[14][15] In January 1958, he attended the Navy's training program for atomic reactors in order to qualify for his next command, USS Triton, the nation's fifth nuclear-powered submarine.

Departing New London on what was supposed to have been a "shake-down" cruise in February 1960, Triton began a 1960 circumnavigation of the Earth in 84 days without surfacing, covering over 41,000 statute miles (66,000 km), an unprecedented feat.

[21] From July 1963 to December 1966, Beach served in the office of the Chief of Naval Operations (OpNav) preparing annual budget reports for Congress and preparing the Secretary of the Navy (Fred Korth, Paul B. Fay, and Paul H. Nitze) and the Chief of Naval Operations (George W. Anderson Jr. and David L. McDonald) for hearings before Congressional committees.

A movie of the same name, based loosely on the novel and starring Clark Gable and Burt Lancaster, was released by United Artists in 1958 (Beach was unhappy with the adaptation).

His last work, completed shortly before his death, was to prepare for publication his father's manuscript of his own naval career, From Annapolis to Scapa Flow: The Autobiography of Edward L. Beach, Sr (2003).

By his technical skill an unwavering devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger, [he] contributed directly to the sinking of five enemy vessels totaling over 39,000 tons[24] For exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service while serving on board the U.S.S.

As Commanding Officer, Captain Edward L. Beach, United States Navy, led his crew with courage, foresight and determination in an unprecedented circumnavigation of the globe, proving man's ability under trying conditions to accomplish prolonged submerged missions as well as testing new and complex equipment in the world's largest submarine.

This historic voyage took his ship into strange waters under difficult and frequently unknown conditions, as a result, the TRITON collected much valuable oceanographic information.

Captain Edward Beach's sound judgment, masterful leadership, professional skill and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the naval service.

His precise control was of valuable assistance to his Commanding Officer in conducting attacks which resulted in the sinking or damaging of enemy vessels totaling over 20,000 tons.

His intelligent handling of approach problems, excellent judgment and ability assisted his Commanding Officer considerable in conducting successful attacks[24] For outstanding performance in combat during her Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh War Patrols against the enemy.

Employing highly daring and hazardous tactics, the USS Trigger struck at the enemy with consistent aggressiveness, seeking out and pursuing her targets with dogged determination regardless of unfavorable attack conditions.

Her exceptionally notable record of severe damage inflicted on hostile shipping and the gallant fighting spirit of her officers and men reflect great credit upon the United States Naval Service.

Prepared to fight her way out on the surface if attacked, she went into action, sending two torpedoes with deadly accuracy into a large Japanese ammunition ship and exploding the target in a mountainous and blinding glare of white flame[24] For meritorious achievement from the 16th of February 1960 to the 10th of May 1960.

In addition to proving the ability of both crew and nuclear submarine to accomplish a mission which required almost three months of submergence, Triton collected much data of scientific importance.

[26] (see image above) For outstanding heroism in action against enemy Japanese shipping and combatant units during her Ninth War Patrol in the Palau Islands area from March 23 to May 20, 1944.

Undaunted by numerous enemy escort vessels and desperately severe anti-submarine measures, the USS Trigger skillfully penetrated convoy screens to reach her targets ... She pressed home daring attacks to leave four freighters and a destroyer a mass of smoke and wreakage ... After seventeen hours of skillful evasion, to resurface and strike again at the enemy[24]Author Tom Clancy summarized Beach's accomplishments and contributions when he wrote: Ned loved the Navy as a man might love his own family.

He served with distinction approaching perfection and, like his father, would then write about the things he'd seen and done ... More than once I spoke with him about the psychological aspects of combat, and every time he told me what I needed to know, always from his own rich experiences.