The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Platoon Sergeant Alexander J. Luke (MCSN: 243381), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with the First Marine Raider Battalion during the attack against enemy Japanese forces on Tulagi, Solomon Islands, on the night of 7 – 8 August 1942. When a hostile counterattack was directed against his company’s position, Platoon Sergeant Luke, after realizing that one of his machine gunners had been killed, immediately rushed to the gun and put it back in action, although he, himself, was under heavy enemy fire and mortally wounded. His grim determination and great personal valor assisted materially in the eventual repulse of the enemy and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the defense of his country.