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About the Ship's Coat of Arms

Accidents aboard the Ship

COs of USS Preble

About the Ship's Name

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USS Preble (DDG 88)

USS PREBLE is a Flight IIA ARLEIGH BURKE-class guided missile destroyer and the sixth ship in the Navy to bear the name.

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Crew List:

This section contains the names of sailors who served aboard USS PREBLE. It is no official listing but contains the names of sailors who submitted their information.

• Click here to view the list.

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• Click here to see which USS PREBLE memorabilia are currently for sale on ebay.

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USS PREBLE Cruise Books:

• WestPac Cruise Book 2012-13

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About the Ship's Coat of Arms:

The Shield:

Gold and dark blue are the traditional colors associated with the Navy. Commodore Preble’s attack and bombardment of the harbor at Tripoli in 1803 during his campaign against Barbary pirates is recalled by the embattlement and rayonny scarlet chief representing the fire and destruction he rained on the port. Scarlet symbolizes courage and Commodore Preble’s fiery resolve and determination to end attacks upon American trading vessels in the region. The ship’s sail further recalls his successful attack and blockade of Tripoli and refers to his other distinguished U.S. Navy commands, particularly of the USS CONSTITUTION and the frigate ESSEX. The head of the lion is derived from the Preble family coat of arms and symbolizes courage and strength. The crossed cutlass and sword represent combat and the readiness, past and present, to defend United States interests. Argent, or silver, signifies integrity, gold denotes excellence.

The Crest:

The eight battle stars earned by USS PREBLE (DD 345) for World War II service are recalled by the points of the compass rose and by the laurel wreath, which signifies honor. The compass rose indicates worldwide capabilities and service of the new Preble and it’s predecessors. The blue escutcheon, in the shape of the radar cover panel used on Aegis vessels, represents the advanced technology and weapons systems of the new ship. It is charged with a cinquefoil, recalling the five previous ships to honorably bear the name Preble. Argent, or silver, denotes integrity and valor, gold signifies excellence.

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Accidents aboard USS PREBLE:

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USS PREBLE's Commanding Officers:

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About the Ship’s Name:

Edward Preble was born at Falmouth, Maine on August 15, 1761 and began his career at the age of sixteen when he ran away to sea on a privateer. Two years later, he was appointed a midshipman on the frigate PROTECTOR and fought two engagements before being captured in 1781. The following year, after his release, he became First Lieutenant on the cruiser WINTHROP. While on this ship Preble earned a reputation for undaunted courage and presence of mind. In one mission he led a boarding party in the capture of an anchored British brig at Castine, Maine, and escaped with her under hostile shore fire.

After the Revolutionary War, Preble remained in the merchant service. He was appointed a First Lieutenant in the United States Navy in April of 1798, and ordered the following January to command the brig PICKERING of the U.S. Revenue Marine. The PICKERING sailed in the squadron of Commodore Barry, protecting American commerce against French privateers in the West Indies.

Commissioned a Captain on 7 June 1799, he took command of the new frigate ESSEX in December, and sailed from New York in January 1800 to afford protection to American vessels engaged in China and Eastern trade. During this cruise Preble had the honor of being the first naval officer to fly the American flag east of the Cape of Good Hope.

In 1803 on board his flagship, USS CONSTITUTION, Preble sailed against the Barbary pirates as Commodore of a seven-ship, thousand-man squadron. In October of that year he established a peace treaty with the Emperor of Morocco, and then effected a blockade of the harbor of Tripoli. Preble and his Tripolitan campaign became one of the focal points for the development of the fighting tradition of the U.S. Navy. Not satisfied with a passive blockade, Preble attacked the harbor, which was well-fortified and defended by 25,000 men. In a series of daring raids, Preble's men caused severe damage and inflicted heavy causalities, a direct result of strenuous training and bold thinking. Preble's influence extended not only to events of his time, but also to the later successes of Stephen Decatur, William Bainbridge, Charles Stewart, Isaac Hull, and David Porter, all of whom served under his command at Tripoli. In 1804, Preble returned to the United States to supervise the construction of gunboats. He died a few years later on August 25, 1807.

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USS PREBLE Image Gallery:

The photos below were taken by Brian Barton and show the USS LASSEN (DDG 82) moored alongside the USS PREBLE at San Diego, Calif., on December 6, 2003.

The photo below was taken by Shiu On Yee and shows the PREBLE anchored at Hong Kong. The ship visited Hong Kong along with the RONALD REAGAN (CVN 76) Strike Group from August 12-15, 2011.

The photos below were taken by me and show the PREBLE at Naval Base San Diego, Calif., on September 29, 2011. 20 days earlier, on September 9, 2011, the PREBLE had returned from a 7-month cruise to the western Pacific and Middle East. She's still wearing her homecoming garland on the bow.

The photos below were taken by me and show the PREBLE being modernized at BAE Systems Ship Repair in San Diego, Calif., on March 15, 2012. PREBLE entered drydock in October 2011 as part of the DDG modernization upgrade.

The photos below were taken by me and show the PREBLE at Naval Base San Diego, Calif., on May 10, 2012.

The photos below were taken by me and show the PREBLE leading the Parade of Ships through San Francisco Bay during San Francisco Fleet Week 2012. The photos were taken on October 6, 2012, and show the PREBLE south of the Bay Bridge shortly before reaching Pier 80 where she was moored throughout the event. PREBLE originally arrived in San Francisco on October 3 and left for San Diego, Calif., on October 9.

The photos below were taken by me on October 8, 2012, during a public tour of the PREBLE as part of the San Francisco Fleet Week.

			Click here for more photos.

The photos below were all taken by me on October 11, 2012, and show the PREBLE arriving at the Bravo Pier (the Ammunition Pier) in San Diego, Calif. There, she remained for a few hours and offloaded 5-inch shells before she continued to the Naval Base (the last five photos).

The photo below was taken by Michael Jenning and shows the PREBLE at the ammunition depot at Pearl Harbor, Hi., on October 20, 2014.

The photos below were taken by Sebastian Thoma and show the PREBLE at BAE Systems San Diego, Calif., during her Depot Maintenance Period (DMP) on November 28 and November 29 (aerial photo), 2021. PREBLE entered the shipyard on November 2, 2020.

The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show the PREBLE at BAE Systems San Diego, Calif., during her Depot Maintenance Period (DMP) on December 28, 2021. PREBLE entered the shipyard on November 2, 2020.

The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show the PREBLE at BAE Systems San Diego, Calif., during her Depot Maintenance Period (DMP) on May 29, 2022. Note that USS PREBLE has now received a High-Energy Laser and Integrated Optical-Dazzler system (HELIOS) in front of the bridge. PREBLE is the first ship in the Navy equipped with the system. HELIOS is a 60-kilowatt laser CIWS but can also be used for surveillance and as a counter-unmanned aerial system dazzler.

The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show the PREBLE at Naval Base San Diego, Calif., on October 10, 2022.

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