Pacific Wrecks

Missing In Action (MIA)

Prisoners Of War (POW)

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Chronology

USS William B. Preston DD-344 / AVP-20 / AVD-7

USN
Clemson class destroyer

1,308 tons
314' 4" x 30' 11" x 9' 10"
As Destroyer)
4 × 4" guns
1 × 3"guns
12 × 21" torpedo tubes

Ship History
Built at the Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia. Laid down on November 18, 1918. Launched on August 9, 1919. Sponsored by Mrs. William Radford Beale, eldest daughter of William B. Preston. Designated DD-344 on July 17, 1920. Commissioned on August 23, 1920 with Lieutenant James B. Ryan in temporary command. On September 7, 1920 Commander William E. Eberle took command.

Wartime History
On February 5, 1942 evacuated Dutch and American personnel from Saumlaki Seaplane Base including U.S. Navy (USN) Patrol Wing 10 (PATWING 10).

PARTIAL HISTORY

William B. Preston received one battle star for her World War II service.

Scrapping
On December 6, 1945, William B. Preston was decommissioned. On January 3, 1946, her name was struck from the Navy list. On November 6, 1946 Northern Metals Company of Philadelphia, purchased the hulk for scrapping.

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Last Updated
May 5, 2022

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