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Steven Loomis (SaigonShipyard), IC3
to remember
PRESTON, Benjamin (NAVY CROSS x3), CAPT USN(Ret).
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Captain BEN PRESTON, USNR, joined the U.S. Navy in September of 1939, Ben flew SBDs with BS-5 off the Yorktown during the Battle of the Coral Sea and Midway. Preston was a carrier pilot on the USS Yorktown, the USS Enterprise and USS Intrepid during the Battle of the Philippine Sea. He served in all the major Pacific campaigns making a total of 740 deck landings.
Awards and Citations
Navy Cross Awarded for actions during World War Two
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant [then Ensign] Benjamin Gifford Preston (NSN: 0-84203), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane in Torpedo Squadron FIVE (VT-5), attached to the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-5), in dive bombing against enemy Japanese forces at Tulagi Harbor on 4 May 1942, and in an attack on an enemy aircraft carrier in the Coral Sea on 8 May 1942. Pressing home these attacks in the face of tremendous anti-aircraft fire and, on 8 May, also harassed by heavy aircraft opposition, Ensign Preston assisted greatly in the sinking or damaging of the carrier and eight other enemy vessels. His conscientious devotion to duty and gallant self-command against formidable odds contributed materially to the success of our forces in the Battle of the Coral Sea.
General Orders: Commander in Chief Pacific: Serial 14 (June 28, 1942) Action Date: May 4, 7 & 8, 1942 Service: Naval Reserve Rank: Lieutenant Company: Torpedo Squadron 5 (VT-5) Division: U.S.S. Yorktown (CV-5)
Navy Cross Awarded for actions during World War Two
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Benjamin Gifford Preston (NSN: 0-84203), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Scouting Plane of Scouting Squadron FIVE (VS-5), attached to the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-5), during the "Air Battle of Midway," against enemy Japanese forces on 4 - 6 June 1942. Defying extreme danger from concentrated anti-aircraft fire and fierce fighter opposition, Lieutenant Preston, with utter disregard for his own personal safety, participated in persistent and vigorous attacks against the Japanese invasion fleet. His gallant intrepidity and loyal devotion to the accomplishment of a vastly important objective contributed in large measure to the success achieved by our forces and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Commander in Chief Pacific: Serial 18a (July 18, 1942) Action Date: June 4 - 6, 1942 Service: Naval Reserve Rank: Lieutenant Company: Scouting Squadron 5 (VS-5) Division: U.S.S. Yorktown (CV-5)
Navy Cross Awarded for actions during World War Two
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Benjamin Gifford Preston (NSN: 0-84203), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber of Bombing Squadron EIGHTEEN (VB-18), attached to the U.S.S. INTREPID (CV-11), during the Second Battle of the Philippine Sea, on 26 October 1944. As leader of a division of 16 carrier-based dive bombers, Lieutenant Preston participated in an attack which obtained five confirmed hits on an enemy carrier Task Force. He dropped his bomb load squarely on an enemy battleship in the face of anti-aircraft fire that seriously damaged his engine. He made a successful water landing, saving his own life and that of his crewman. The action in which he took part removed a serious threat to our ground forces in the Philippine Islands. His outstanding courage and determined skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Commander 1st Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 0533 (September 11, 1945) Action Date: 26-Oct-44 Service: Naval Reserve
Mariana and Palau Islands Campaign (1944)/Battle of Philippine Sea
From Month/Year
June / 1944
To Month/Year
June / 1944
Description The Battle of the Philippine Sea (June 19–20, 1944) was a major naval battle of World War II that eliminated the Imperial Japanese Navy's ability to conduct large-scale carrier actions. It took place during the United States' amphibious invasion of the Mariana Islands during the Pacific War. The battle was the last of five major "carrier-versus-carrier" engagements between American and Japanese naval forces, and pitted elements of the United States Navy's Fifth Fleet against ships and aircraft of the Imperial Japanese Navy's Mobile Fleet and nearby island garrisons.
The aerial part of the battle was nicknamed the Great Marianas Turkey Shoot by American aviators for the severely disproportional loss ratio inflicted upon Japanese aircraft by American pilots and anti-aircraft gunners. During a debriefing after the first two air battles a pilot from USS Lexington remarked "Why, hell, it was just like an old-time turkey shoot down home!" The outcome is generally attributed to American improvements in pilot and crew training and tactics, technology (including the top-secret anti-aircraft proximity fuze), and ship and aircraft design. Although at the time the battle appeared to be a missed opportunity to destroy the Japanese fleet, the Imperial Japanese Navy had lost the bulk of its carrier air strength and would never recover. During the course of the battle, American submarines torpedoed and sank two of the largest Japanese fleet carriers taking part in the battle.
This was the largest carrier-to-carrier battle in history.
My Participation in This Battle or Operation
From Month/Year
June / 1944
To Month/Year
June / 1944
Last Updated: Mar 16, 2020
Personal Memories
Memories Navy Cross
Awarded for actions during World War Two
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Benjamin Gifford Preston (NSN: 0-84203), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber of Bombing Squadron EIGHTEEN (VB-18), attached to the U.S.S. INTREPID (CV-11), during the Second Battle of the Philippine Sea, on 26 October 1944. As leader of a division of 16 carrier-based dive bombers, Lieutenant Preston participated in an attack which obtained five confirmed hits on an enemy carrier Task Force. He dropped his bomb load squarely on an enemy battleship in the face of anti-aircraft fire that seriously damaged his engine. He made a successful water landing, saving his own life and that of his crewman. The action in which he took part removed a serious threat to our ground forces in the Philippine Islands. His outstanding courage and determined skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Commander 1st Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 0533 (September 11, 1945) Action Date: 26-Oct-44 Service: Naval Reserve Rank: Lieutenant Company: Bombing Squadron 18 (VB-18) Division: U.S.S. Intrepid (CV-11)
