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First Name: Hugh

Last Name: Alexander

Birthplace: Potters Mills, PA,

Gender:

Branch: Navy (present)

Rating:

Home of Record: Belleville, PA
Middle Name: Rossman



Date of Birth: 25 December 1897

Date of Death: 07 December 1941

Rank or Rate: Lieutenant Commander

Years Served:
Hugh Rossman Alexander

   
Engagements:
•  World War I (1914 - 1918)
•  World War II (1941 - 1945)

Biography:

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Commander (DC) Hugh Rossman Alexander (NSN: 0-56955), United States Navy, for heroism in operations 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. 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. Lieutenant Commander Alexander was the ship's Assistant Dental Surgeon.



Honoree ID: 87166   Created by: MHOH

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