Arthur Murray Preston

Infobox Military Person
name=Arthur Murray Preston
born= birth date|1913|11|1
died= death date and age|1968|1|7|1913|11|1
placeofbirth=Maryland
placeofdeath=
placeofburial= Arlington National Cemetery


caption=
nickname=
allegiance= United States of America
branch=United States Navy Reserve
serviceyears=
rank=Commander
commands=
unit=Torpedo Boat Squadron 33
battles=World War II
awards=Medal of Honor
relations=
laterwork=

Arthur Murray Preston (November 1, 1913 – January 7, 1968) was a United States Navy officer and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in World War II.

Preston joined the Navy from Washington, D.C., and by September 16, 1944 was serving as a lieutenant in Torpedo Boat Squadron 33. On that day, Preston commanded two PT boats in the successful rescue of a downed Navy pilot in Wasile Bay, Halmahera Island in Indonesia, despite intense fire from Japanese forces. He was subsequently promoted to lieutenant commander and awarded the Medal of Honor.

Preston reached the rank of commander before leaving the Navy. He died at age 54 and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington County, Virginia.

Medal of Honor citation

Preston's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as commander, Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 33, while effecting the rescue of a Navy pilot shot down in Wasile Bay, Halmahera Island, less than 200 yards from a strongly defended Japanese dock and supply area, September 16, 1944. Volunteering for a perilous mission unsuccessfully attempted by the pilot's squadron mates and a PBY plane, Lt. Comdr. (then Lieutenant) Preston led PT-489 and PT-363 through 60 miles of restricted, heavily mined waters. Twice turned back while running the gauntlet of fire from powerful coastal defense guns guarding the 11-mile strait at the entrance to the bay, he was again turned back by furious fire in the immediate area of the downed airman. Aided by an aircraft smokescreen, he finally succeeded in reaching his objective and, under vicious fire delivered at 150-yard range, took the pilot aboard and cleared the area, sinking a small hostile cargo vessel with 40-mm. fire during retirement. Increasingly vulnerable when covering aircraft were forced to leave because of insufficient fuel, Lt. Comdr. Preston raced PT boats 489 and 363 at high speed for 20 minutes through shell-splashed water and across minefields to safety. Under continuous fire for 2 l/2 hours, Lt. Comdr. Preston successfully achieved a mission considered suicidal in its tremendous hazards, and brought his boats through without personnel casualties and with but superficial damage from shrapnel. His exceptional daring and great personal valor enhance the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.

ee also

References

*cite web
publisher = Find a Grave
title = Arthur Preston (1913 - 1968)
date = September 25, 2001
url = http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=5800786
accessdate = 2007-11-09

*cite web
publisher = U.S. Army Center of Military History
title = Medal of Honor Recipients - World War II (M-S)
work = Medal of Honor Citations
date = July 16, 2007
url = http://www.army.mil/cmh/html/moh/wwII-m-s.html
accessdate = 2007-11-09

Persondata
NAME= Preston, Arthur Murray
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION= United States Navy Medal of Honor recipient
DATE OF BIRTH=
PLACE OF BIRTH=
DATE OF DEATH=
PLACE OF DEATH=