Jim Preston:
CLASS OF 1971
Pinkerton AcademyClass of 1971
Derry, NH
Jim's Story
Life
Joined the Navy on 21 June 1971. Went to Basic in Great Lakes Illinois. My first and only duty assignment was on the USS Excel (MSO 439) Home ported out of Longbeach California. In 1973, the USS Excel moved homeports to Treasure Island in San Francisco California. Before I left the USS Excel, I made 2nd Class and was the leading radioman on board. On 16 June 1975, the USS Excel was leaving for a 2 week cruise with reservists on board, needless to say, I had to leave the ship and go over onto post and out-Process. Thus ending my career onboard the USS Excel. When I got onboard the Excel, LTC Althouse was the commander, When I left, LTC Phil...Expand for more
lip Parish was the commander. I got out for a few months and then decided to join the National Guard. In 1985 I started working full-time for the guard and have been there ever since. I am presently the shop chief of an Organizational Maintenance Shop in Opelika, AL.... Jim passed away in a skydiving accident on September 30, 2001. He took up skydiving about three years ago, and loved every second of the time he was in the sport. He died doing what he loved. His wife Lori, and his four children, Jimmy, Jennifer, Colin, and Katherine, and the rest of his family, as well as his many skydiving, National Guard and community friends miss him greatly.
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