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| USN Mahan-class destroyer 1,500 Tons 341' 4" x 35' x 9' 10" (As Built) 5 x 5" 38 cal DP guns 4 x .50 cal MG 2 x depth charge racks (Modified 1942) 4 x 5" 38 cal DP guns 12 x 21" torpedo tubes 4 x 40mm AA guns 6 x 20mm cannons 2 x depth charge racks 4 x K-gun depth charge projectors  USN August 15, 1942 |
Sinking History Built by Mare Island Navy Yard at Mare Island. Laid down October 27, 1934 as Mahan-class destroyer. Launched April 22, 1936 as USS Preston (DD-379) named for Lt. Samuel W. Preston who was Killed In Action January 15, 1865 sponsored by Mrs. Edward H. Campbell. Commissioned October 27, 1936 in the U.S. Navy (USN) and underwent a shakedown cruise. Assigned the Chief of Naval Operations, then joined Battle Force, U.S. Fleet, Destroyer Squadron 2 (DesRon 2), then transferred to Destroyer Squadron 5 (DesRon 5) and conducted training exercises until the start of the Pacific War. On October 31, 1941 placed under the command of Lt. Commander Max Clifford Stormes. Wartime History At the start of the Pacific War, conducted coastal patrols and escort duty off the west coast of the United States and eastern Pacific Ocean. On June 1, 1942 departs bound for Pearl Harbor and five days later joins Task Group 11.1 (TG 11.1) to screen for USS Saratoga (CV-3) and then rendezvous with Task Force 17 (TF 17) with USS Enterprise (CV-6) and USS Hornet (CV-8) refueling and rearming after the Battle of Midway. On June 13, 1942 returns to Pearl Harbor and begins a four month period of training and patrols off Hawaii. On August 15, 1942 photographed at Mare Island Navy Yard at Mare Island. On August 20, 1942 Stormes was promoted to the rank of Commander. On October 4, 1942 joins Task Force 16 (TF 16) and eleven days later departs Pearl Harbor bound for the South Pacific. On October 24, 1942 rendezvoused with Task Force 17 (TF 17) and together form Task Force 61 (TF 61) and proceed to the Solomon Islands. On October 26, 1942 participates in the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands as part of the screening force and fires at Japanese planes and claims two shot down. Afterwards, proceeds to Nouméa to rearm and resupply then departs bound for Guadalcanal. Sinking History On November 14, 1942 in the evening with Task Force 64 (TF 64) under the command of Admiral Willis A. "Ching" Lee enters Iron Bottom Sound off Guadalcanal to defend the area against Japanese Navy warships. The American force includes battleships USS Washington (BB-56) and USS South Dakota (BB-57) with destroyers USS Preston (DD-379), USS Walke (DD-416), USS Benham (DD-397) and USS Gwin (DD-433). The force was ad hoc, the battleships had only operated together for a few days and the destroyers were from different divisions and were assigned as screens based on their fuel supply. The force began patrolling south of Savo Island in a column formation with the destroyers in the lead and battleships close behind. At 11:00pm radar aboard USS Washington (BB-56) spots the Japanese force including Sendai, but did not detect the other groups of Japanese ships. Walke was leading the U.S. warships in column formation. At 11:17pm the Second Naval Battle of Guadalcanal commences with an exchange of gunfire that disperses the Japanese force. Next, off southern Savo Island the destroyers enter the engagement with USS Gwin (DD-433) firing star shells to illuminate the area of initial contact and became the target of light cruiser Nagara. Targeting an illuminated Japanese warship, Preston opened fire and was preparing to launch her torpedoes when hit by gunfire from Nagara and was straddled by the first salvo and hit by the second salvo that disabled both fire rooms and knocked off the aft smokestack. With fires burning on the destroyer, it attracted more gunfire from both port and starboard and might have been accidentally targeted by USS Washington (BB-56). Damaged, Preston lost power and came to a stop and was hit by a third salvo from Nagara in the aft causing an explosion from the magazine or torpedoes as fires increased. At 11:36 the crew were ordered to abandon ship and minutes later rolled onto her port side and remained afloat for ten minutes before sinking stern first raising the bow upward out of the sea then sinks into Iron Bottom Sound south of Savo Island. During the engagement and sinking 116 of her crew were lost including Commander Max C. Stormes. Before the battle, Stormes had the depth charge Tetryl boosters removed to prevent them from exploding if the ship sank. Likely, this decision saved the lives of many of the crew in the sea after sinking. Fates of the Crew After the sinking, USS South Dakota (BB-57) steamed through the survivors in the water and released a life raft. Memorials The Missing In Action (MIA) crew were officially declared dead on November 16, 1943. All are memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. On December 12, 1943 launched is Fletcher class destroyer USS Preston (DD-795) with the same name. Commander Max C. Stormes earned the Navy Cross, posthumously and Purple Heart, posthumously. On November 4, 1944 Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer USS Stormes (DD-780) was named in his honor. Awards For her World War II service, Preston earned two battle stars. References Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) - Preston V (DD-379) Destroyer History Foundation - USS Preston DD-379 NavSource - USS Preston DD-379 (photos) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Max C. Stormes FindAGrave - Commander Max C. Stormes (photo, tablets of the missing photo) Contribute
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