Destroyer USS Preston (Fletcher-class) (DD-795)

USS Preston (Fletcher-class)

Country	United States
Ship Class	Fletcher-class Destroyer
Hull Number	DD-795
Builder	Bethlehem San Pedro Shipyard
Laid Down	13 Jun 1943
Launched	12 Dec 1943
Commissioned	20 Mar 1944
Decommissioned	15 Nov 1969
Displacement	2940 tons standard; 2924 tons full
Length	377 feet
Beam	39 feet
Draft	18 feet
Machinery	General Electric geared turbines with two screws
Power Output	60000 SHP
Speed	35 knots
Range	6,500nm at 15 knots
Crew	320
Armament	5z127mm/38 guns, 10x40mm AA guns, 7x20mm AA guns, 10x21in torpedo tubes, 6x depth charge posts, 2x depth charge tracks
Recommissioned	26 Jan 1951

Contributor: C. Peter Chen

ww2dbaseUSS Preston entered service later in the war, in Mar 1944. She supported the invasion of Guam in Jul 1944 and then the invasion of Palau Islands in Sep 1944. Between Oct and Dec 1944, she escorted carriers in Philippine waters, participating in the naval battles off Leyte, Philippine Islands early in the campaign. In early 1945, she escort carriers into the South China Sea during Operation Gratitude, and then went on to serve in a similar role during the invasion of Iwo Jima. During the Okinawa invasion, she served initially as an escort to carriers, than provided naval gunfire for ground troops on the Motobu Peninsula, at Nago Bay, Nakagusu Bay, and the Naha area; she also bombarded positions on nearby Ie Shima and Kutaka Shima islands. She would remain in the Okinawa area until the end of the war. She was decommissioned in California, United States in 1946. She returned to service as the Korean War began, in 1951, although she would not arrive in Korean waters until May 1953, where she would again serve in carrier escort duties as she had during WW2. In the 1960s, she served two tours of duty off Vietnam during the Vietnam War and warned a Presidential Unit Commendation. She was decommissioned from the US Navy for the final time on 15 Nov 1969. Transferred to Turkey later on the same day, she operated under the new name of Icel (D 344) until 1981. Icel was broken up for scrap later in 1981.

ww2dbaseSource: Wikipedia

Destroyer USS Preston (Fletcher-class) (DD-795) Interactive Map

USS Preston (Fletcher-class) Operational Timeline

13 Jun 1943	The keel of Preston was laid down by Bethlehem Shipbuilding at San Pedro, California, United States.
12 Dec 1943	Preston was launched at San Pedro, California, United States, sponsored by sponsored by Mrs. R. F. Gross.
20 Mar 1944	USS Preston was commissioned into service with Commander Goldsborough S. Patrick in command.
1 Jul 1944	USS Preston departed Pearl Harbor, US Territory of Hawaii.
17 Jul 1944	USS Preston arrived off Guam.
8 Aug 1944	USS Preston arrived at Apra harbor, Guam.
10 Aug 1944	USS Preston departed Apra harbor, Guam for Eniwetok, Marshall Islands.
29 Aug 1944	USS Preston departed Eniwetok, Marshall Islands with Task Force 38.
6 Sep 1944	USS Preston guarded carriers while the carriers launched strikes against Palau Islands.
7 Sep 1944	USS Preston guarded carriers while the carriers launched strikes against Palau Islands.
8 Sep 1944	USS Preston guarded carriers while the carriers launched strikes against Palau Islands.
15 Sep 1944	USS Preston supported the invasion of Palau Islands.
6 Oct 1944	USS Preston set sail with Task Force 38.
5 Nov 1944	USS Preston guarded carriers while the carriers launched strikes against Philippine Islands.
12 Nov 1944	USS Preston guarded carriers while the carriers launched strikes against Luzon, Philippine Islands.
25 Nov 1944	USS Preston guarded carriers while the carriers launched strikes against Luzon, Philippine Islands.
26 Nov 1944	USS Preston guarded carriers while the carriers launched strikes against Luzon, Philippine Islands.
27 Nov 1944	USS Preston guarded carriers while the carriers launched strikes against Luzon, Philippine Islands.
28 Nov 1944	USS Preston guarded carriers while the carriers launched strikes against Luzon, Philippine Islands.
29 Nov 1944	USS Preston guarded carriers while the carriers launched strikes against Luzon, Philippine Islands.
30 Nov 1944	USS Preston guarded carriers while the carriers launched strikes against Luzon, Philippine Islands.
1 Dec 1944	USS Preston guarded carriers while the carriers launched strikes against Luzon, Philippine Islands.
2 Dec 1944	USS Preston guarded carriers while the carriers launched strikes against Luzon, Philippine Islands.
10 Dec 1944	USS Preston guarded carriers while the carriers launched strikes against Luzon, Philippine Islands.
11 Dec 1944	USS Preston guarded carriers while the carriers launched strikes against Luzon, Philippine Islands.
12 Dec 1944	USS Preston guarded carriers while the carriers launched strikes against Luzon, Philippine Islands.
13 Dec 1944	USS Preston guarded carriers while the carriers launched strikes against Luzon, Philippine Islands.
14 Dec 1944	USS Preston guarded carriers while the carriers launched strikes against Luzon, Philippine Islands.
15 Dec 1944	USS Preston guarded carriers while the carriers launched strikes against Luzon, Philippine Islands.
16 Dec 1944	USS Preston guarded carriers while the carriers launched strikes against Luzon, Philippine Islands.
17 Dec 1944	USS Preston guarded carriers while the carriers launched strikes against Luzon, Philippine Islands.
18 Dec 1944	USS Preston guarded carriers while the carriers launched strikes against Luzon, Philippine Islands.
19 Dec 1944	USS Preston guarded carriers while the carriers launched strikes against Luzon, Philippine Islands.
20 Dec 1944	USS Preston guarded carriers while the carriers launched strikes against Luzon, Philippine Islands.
21 Dec 1944	USS Preston guarded carriers while the carriers launched strikes against Luzon, Philippine Islands.
30 Dec 1944	USS Preston departed waters off Philippine Islands for Ulithi, Caroline Islands.
21 Mar 1945	USS Preston departed for Ryukyu Islands.
24 Mar 1945	USS Preston arrived off Kerama Islands, Japan.
6 Sep 1945	USS Preston departed Okinawa, Japan.
20 Sep 1945	Lieutenant Commander John B. Carroll was named the commanding officer of USS Preston.
24 Sep 1945	USS Preston arrived at San Pedro, California, United States.
24 Apr 1946	USS Preston was decommissioned from service and was placed into the Pacific Reserve Fleet.
26 Jan 1951	Commander Frederick D. Riley, Jr. was named the commanding officer of USS Preston.
26 Jan 1951	USS Preston was recommissioned into service.
9 Jan 1952	USS Preston departed the east coast of the United States for the Mediterranean Sea.
12 Mar 1953	Commander Joseph R. Tenanty was named the commanding officer of USS Preston, replacing Commander Ralph S. Stevens, Jr.
1 Apr 1953	USS Preston arrived in northeastern United States.
20 Dec 1954	Commander Ernest R. Peterson was named the commanding officer of USS Preston.
15 Mar 1956	USS Preston departed Narragansett Bay in northeastern United States.
15 Apr 1956	USS Preston arrived at Long Beach, California, United States.
18 Jul 1959	Commander Richard S. Moore was named the commanding officer of USS Preston, replacing Lieutenant Commander Albert M. Sackett.
7 Oct 1961	Commander Anthony J. Kodis was named the commanding officer of USS Preston.
5 Sep 1963	Commander Harry D. Johnston was named the commanding officer of USS Preston
9 Jul 1965	Commander James O. Lyon was named the commanding officer of USS Preston
15 Jan 1966	USS Preston departed Vietnamese waters.
10 Mar 1967	Commander David G. Ramsey was named the commanding officer of USS Preston
15 Nov 1969	USS Preston was decommissioned from service; her final commanding officer was Commander John A. Coinier. The ship was struck from the US Navy Register. Later on the same day, Preston was transferred to Turkey, whose navy would operate her under the name Icel (D 344).