Arthur Murray Preston

Who was Arthur Murray Preston?

Arthur Murray Preston was a United States Navy officer and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in World War II. He graduated from Phillips Academy in 1931.

Preston joined the Navy from Washington, D.C. in September 1940, and by September 16, 1944 was serving as a lieutenant in Torpedo Boat Squadron 33. On that day, Preston commanded two PT boats in the successful rescue of a downed Navy pilot in Wasile Bay, Halmahera Island in Indonesia, despite intense fire from Japanese forces. He was subsequently promoted to lieutenant commander and awarded the Medal of Honor.

Preston reached the rank of commander before leaving the Navy. He died at age 54 and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington County, Virginia.