The Man Who Said "Not Today" | Military History Talks

September 16, 1944. Lieutenant Preston, 30, father of two, stared at the map. A pilot trapped 200 yards from Japanese guns. Two rescue attempts had failed. "It's impossible," they said. Preston stood. "Not if we come back." Through minefields. Artillery fire. Twice pushed back. His crew begged retreat. "That pilot has a mother too." Third try. Smoke screen. Shells everywhere. They grabbed him as bullets tore the boat. Racing through mines. Zero casualties. The pilot wept: "I wrote my goodbye letter." Preston smiled: "Tear it up. Nobody dies on my watch." Medal of Honor. But he'd won more—25 men went home. Follow for more.