Irving Stahl Presler – Captain, United States Navy

From a contemporary press report:

Irving S. “Pres” Presler, 87, a Navy Captain who retired in 1964 after having served two years in Bonn as Naval attache to  West Germany, died  of cancer November 8, 1998 at the Burke Health Care Center, Virginia.

Captain Presler was a native Washingtonian and a longtime resident of  Potomac. He graduated from Central High School and in 1934 from the U.S. Naval Academy. During World War II, he served in the Atlantic and the Pacific.  As gunnery officer aboard the attack transport ship McCawley, he participated in the initial landing on Guadalcanal, where his gun crews shot down two Japanese torpedo bombers. He also helped rescue survivors after the night battle of Savo Island and helped in Japanese code-breaking   operations. He commanded the destroyer Mervine, which was engaged in  North Atlantic and Mediterranean high-speed convoy escort operations.

After the war, he was the first commanding officer of the destroyer Damato, executive and then commanding officer of the cruiser Columbus and commander of the fleet oiler Caloosahatchee. He also had served in Navy and joint staff war planning divisions.

His wife of 56 years, Katherine L. Presler, died in 1992.

 Survivors include a son, Navy Cmdr. Robert G. Presler of Fairfax Station; and two grandsons.


PRESLER, IRVING STAHL, CAPT, USN (Ret.)

On November 8, 1998, beloved husband of the late Katherine L. Presler. He is survived by his son, Navy CDR Robert G. Presler, Sr. and his wife Carol; and two grandsons, Rob Jr. and Scott. A graveside service with Full Military Honors will be held 3 p.m., Monday, November 23, at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.

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