The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Commander (DC) Hugh Rossman Alexander (NSN: 0-56955), United States Navy, for gallantry in action against the enemy Japanese forces on 7 December 1941, while attached to and serving on board the U.S.S. OKLAHOMA (BB-37). Lieutenant Commander Alexander was aboard the U.S.S. OKLAHOMA during the attack made by the Japanese against the United States Naval Forces at Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii. As a result of damage by the enemy the OKLAHOMA capsized shortly after the attack was begun, entrapping Lieutenant Commander Alexander and others in a compartment where portholes provided the only possible means of escape. Despite his knowledge of the desperate situation in which he was placed and with complete disregard for his own safety, Lieutenant Commander Alexander heroically went about the crowded compartment and deliberately selected the more slender of those entrapped whom he conducted to the portholes and aided them in making their escape through these narrow openings. Continuing his intrepid action until the end, Lieutenant Commander Alexander gallantly laid down his life in order that his shipmates might live. This action on his part rendered him individually conspicuous among his comrades and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.