World War II Honoree

Oakley L. Preston, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Springfield, Illinois

Honored By

Mrs. Deborah K. Eggleston

Relationship

Daughter

Served with the Army Air Corps, installed radar in U.S. Army bombers. Was seriously injured during take off in a check-out flight in a B-15 that collided with a P-38 landing. They clipped wings and the fighter careened into the side of the bomber. The pilot and several of the bomber crew were killed. There were only 2 survivors, including him. He spent several months in the hospital at an air base in Florida and suffered some permanent hearing loss in his left ear as a result of the accident.