USS Preston (DD-795)

• Fletcher-class Destroyer: USS Preston (DD-795) was a Fletcher-class destroyer, one of the most successful and numerous classes of destroyers built for the U.S. Navy during World War II. • Namesake Legacy: She was the fifth U.S. Navy ship named "Preston," honoring Lieutenant Samuel W. Preston, who was killed during the Civil War assault on Fort Fisher in 1865. • Launch and Commission: USS Preston was launched on April 12, 1943, by Bethlehem Steel Co. in Staten Island, New York, and commissioned on August 20, 1943. • World War II Service: Preston participated in major Pacific Theater operations, including the Marshall Islands campaign, the Marianas campaign, the Battle of Leyte Gulf, and the Okinawa campaign. • Surviving Kamikaze Attacks: During the Okinawa campaign, Preston faced numerous kamikaze air attacks and survived without significant damage, showcasing her crew’s skill and resilience. • Presidential Unit Citation: For her actions during the Leyte Gulf operations, Preston’s task group received the Presidential Unit Citation, one of the highest unit awards in the U.S. military. • Korean War Service: Reactivated for the Korean War, Preston provided naval gunfire support, screened aircraft carriers, and conducted patrols along the Korean coast. • Cold War Duties: After Korea, she served in the Pacific, conducting patrols, training exercises, and goodwill visits during the Cold War era. • Transfer to Turkey: In 1969, Preston was transferred to the Turkish Navy, where she served as TCG Icel (D 344) until her decommissioning in 1981. • Battle Stars: USS Preston earned eight battle stars for her World War II service and two battle stars for her Korean War service, reflecting her distinguished combat record.