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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
Funeral Plane Crashes, Cdr. B.G. Preston on board (1957)
Date
Jan 22, 1957
Last Updated: Nov 1, 2011
Comments
Funeral Plane Crashes in Snow Storm January 22, 1957
Blinding snow and aircraft have never been a good match. On the night of January 22, 1957, it became a deadly combination for the crew of U.S. Navy RD5-3 No. 50869.
The four-engine Navy transport, the military version of the DC-6, was less than two minutes from touching down at Willow Run Airport outside Ypsilanti, Michigan.
Although the name might be deceiving, Willow Run was not a small out of the way airport. The beginnings of Willow Run Airport dates back to 1941 when Henry Ford and Charles Lindbergh built the worlds largest bomber facility at the airport. After the war, the bomber plant was converted into a luxury passenger terminal. Commercial airline traffic was transferred from Detroit City Airport, and Willow Run became Detroit's principal airport through the 50's. Today Willow Run Airport is the largest cargo airport in the country.
In 1957, the airport was Detroit's main commercial field about 25 miles southwest of the city with the latest radar and instrument approach equipment. For the time, it was equipped to handle aircraft in all but the most adverse weather conditions.
The Navy RD5-3 was en route from Albuquerque to Glenview Navel Air Station near Chicago. Bad weather over Peoria, Ill, had caused it to be diverted to Willow Run. On board the craft besides the seven aircrew was the body of Navy Lt. Comm Charles R. Walton, being taken back to his native Detroit for burial. The 38-year-old Naval reservist had been killed in a two-plane collision near Albuquerque the Sunday night before.
On board the plane were Commander Benjamin G. Preston of Glenview, Ill.; Lt Joseph Pietro, 32 of Chicago; Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. William Sale from San Diego, Machinist Floyd Birt, 32, of Arlington Heights, Ill.; Seaman Eric N. Starr, 20, of Boston; Machinist Adolph Meisch, 30, of Glenview, Ill. and Thomas Burke, 22, of Chicago.
As the plane settled into its glide pattern for Willow Run Airport, the ceiling was closing in rapidly. Snow had begun falling heavily only 20 minutes earlier and the ceiling had dropped from 900 feet to only 550 feet.
When the plane was just two minutes from landing, it suddenly dived and crashed on to some vacant land. Six of the seven on board were either able to crawl or were pulled out of the wreckage. Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. William Sale wasn't so lucky. Although they managed to get him fee of the wreckage, he died en route to the hospital.
