The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander Oscar Henry Dodson, United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Communications Officer on board the Aircraft Carrier U.S.S. HORNET (CV-8), during the operations of the U.S. Naval Forces north of the Santa Cruz, Islands, on 26 October 1942. Lieutenant Commander Dodson directed the reestablishment of radio and visual communications after all normal channels had been destroyed or rendered ineffectual by enemy bombs. Later, accompanied by a volunteer crew, he entered a compartment containing an unexploded bomb in order to destroy the ship’s secret publications. Lieutenant Commander Dodson’s gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.