The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Howard Pleasant Alexander (NSN: 644289), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Pilot attached to and serving with Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-THREE (VA-153), embarked in U.S.S. CORAL SEA (CVA-43). On 16 April 1965, Lieutenant Alexander was assigned as a strike pilot against the Xom Ca Trang bridge in North Vietnam. Lieutenant Alexander was among the first to approach the bridge which was extremely narrow and long. Though visibility was limited, Lieutenant Alexander was able to make a steep and outstandingly effective attack as he approached the target for the first time. Lieutenant Alexander’s weapon scored a direct hit on the bridge causing the span to collapse into the river beneath it. The point of impact was the same point of impact selected from pre-strike photography that would cause the most damage to the structure. Through his outstanding professionalism and marksmanship, Lieutenant Alexander upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.