Preston Mahan-class destroyer

preston underway in 1930s

uss preston in service october 1936 until november 1942. following shakedown, served briefly under chief of naval operations, joined fleet. preston did peacetime training exercises month of december 1941, , performed patrol , escort duties along west coast until june 1942. after that, screened carrier saratoga hawaii, followed 4 months of patrol , escort work in hawaiian waters.

in october became part of task force 61 , participated in battle of santa cruz. in mid-november 1942, preston sailed western end of guadalcanal intercept run japanese bombard henderson field. in ensuing skirmish, preston hit salvo japanese cruiser put both fire rooms out of commission , toppled aft stack. fires made easy target; spread, order given abandon ship. ship rolled onto side , sank, taking 116 of crew her. preston received 2 battle stars world war ii service.