World War II Database

Following shakedown cruise, Preston briefly served under the Chief of Naval Operations, then was assigned to Battle Force, US Fleet, US Navy. She conducted training exercises in the Pacific Ocean until the United States entered WW2 on 7 Dec 1941. Between Dec 1941 and May 1942, she patrolled the west coast of the United States. On 1 Jun 1942, she sailed to Hawaii to join Task Group 11.1 to deliver aircraft, pilots, and supplies to carriers Enterprise and Hornet off Midway. Between 13 Jun and 15 Oct, she conducted training and patrol exercises off Hawaii. On 15 Oct, she sailed with Task Force 16 to join Task Force 17, which formed Task Force 61, for the Solomon Islands. She first saw combat at the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands in late Oct 1942, downing two Japanese aircraft while suffering no damage. On the evening of 14 Nov 1942, Preston sailed with other ships to patrol Ironbottom Sound, and encountered Vice Admiral Nobutake Kondo's force consisted of battleship Kirishima, heavy cruisers Atago and Takao, two light cruisers, and a destroyer squadron from Java, resulting in the Second Naval Battle of Guadalcanal. At about 2327, about 10 minutes after the battle began, while preparing for a torpedo run, Preston was struck by a battleship shell, toppling the afterstack and putting out both firerooms. The fire started by the hit made her an attractive target for Japanese gunfire. At 2336, after receiving several more hits, abandon ship order was given. Seconds later, she rolled over onto her side. At 2346, she sank, taking 116 of her crew down with her.

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