Western-Star.com

There are more then 340,000 men and women serving in the United States Navy — and the 2007 Sailor of the Year is from Middletown.

Navy First Class Diver (Diving Salvage Specialist/Freefall Parachutist) Tim Alexander, a 1991 graduate of Middletown High School, enlisted in the Navy following graduation and is stationed at the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Panama City, Fla.

During his time at the center, he volunteered to deploy to Iraq to support counter-landmine operations for the Marine Corps. He was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for outstanding performance as the Naval Surface Warfare Center PC Diving Supervisor.

"First Class Diver Tim Alexander is a testament to the great commitment and courage of our all-volunteer military," U.S Rep. John Boehner said Friday. "He has worked hard to further his education and his training, and his efforts are rewarded in his being named Sailor of the Year.

"I am sure that his parents, Ted and Sonja Alexander, and his sons, 13-year-old Kai and 9-year-old Liam, are very proud of him."

The Sailor of the Year program began 29 years ago to recognize the Navy's top enlisted sailors. The program provides recognition to outstanding sailors through numerous presentations, awards and meritorious advancement to the next pay grade. Sailors are judged on their job performance for the past 12 months; performance over the course of their career to date; and off-duty education, civic involvement and awards earned. Additionally, a selection board of four Command Master questioned this year's five finalists concerning Navy policies, ethics, guiding principles and leadership.