Named for Revolutionary War American naval officer Edward Preble (1761-1807), who commanded the 3d squadron from his flagship, the frigate Constitution during the war against the Barbary Pirates 1804-1805, the fourth Preble (DD-345) was commissioned at the Boston Navy Yard 19 March 1920. In 1922 she was assigned to the Asiatic Station. She arrived at Chefoo, China, 26 August, and for the next 7 years cruised off the coast of Asia from Manchuria to Burma in Japanese waters, and amongst the Philippines, East Indies and Marianas. Preble departed Tsingtao, China, 12 July 1929 and returned to San Diego, 17 August 1929.
On 7 December 1941 when the Japanese forces launched their attack, Preble was being overhauled at Pearl Harbor and was unable to get underway. As necessary guns and ammunition were not aboard, a large number of Preble's crew handled ammunition, fought fires, and cared for the wounded aboard Pennsylvania (BB-38).
On 30 January 1942 Preble completed her yard overhaul and joined the patrol operating just off the Pearl Harbor entrance. Serving as a minelayer, escort and anti-submarine vessel, Preble participated during the Guadalcanal and Peleliu campaigns. On 5 June 1945, Preble was re-designated a miscellaneous auxiliary vessel (AG-99). She was assigned to duty escorting aircraft carriers engaged in training, acting as anti-submarine patrol vessel and plane guard during flight operations in the Philippines and Okinawa. Preble arrived at Norfolk 20 November 1945 and was decommissioned 7 December 1945. She was sold for 26 October 1946. Preble earned 8 battle stars for World War II service.
Compiled from:
| Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships , 8 vols., (Navy Department, Office of Chief of Naval Operations, Naval History Division, Washington, DC, 1970), Volume V, pp.368-369. |
| David H. Jackson Interview, Oral History Collection, Manuscripts and Rare Books Department, Collection No. 128. Display Collection Guide |
