• 16 September 1944: ENS Harold Thompson of Fighter Squadron 26
  was shot down supporting forces landing on Halmahera Island.  He parachuted into the bay only a few hundred yards from the enemy occupied shore.  Naval Aircraft continually circled him strafing targets to keep the enemy from retrieving him.  LT Arthur M. Preston led two PT Boats (PT-489 and PT-363) across 60 miles of heavily mined waters and an 11-mile heavily guarded channel into the bay to rescue ENS Thompson.  The retreat was even more perilous as their air cover was out of fuel.  Both PT crews willing volunteered for what was deemed “suicidal in its tremendous hazards.”  In total, the PT crews were under constant fire in daylight for 2 ½ hours with some shells impacting as close as 10 yards away.  For their heroism LT Preston was awarded the Medal of Honor and 4 other crew members received the Navy Cross. 

FLY NAVY!