# OnThisDayInHistory 1974 – Private First Class Robert K. Preston, US Army, a helicopter pilot who had washed out of training, crept across the tarmac at Fort Meade, Maryland, and boarded a UH-1 Iroquois helicopter. Robert Kenneth Preston was born in Panama City, Florida, in 1953. Unable to reach his superiors by phone, and unwilling to risk the lives of innocent civilians should the agents manage to shoot the helicopter out of the sky, Kulbaski was at an impasse. Robert Kenneth Preston was born in Panama City, Florida, in 1953. After growing up dreaming of flying helicopters in the Army, Preston got his chance and went to flying school at Fort Rucker in Alabama—only to wash out after over a year. The aircraft was unarmed and, as was usual, was kept fueled on the flight line. Boulder City, NV 89005. Boulder City Terminal. In fact, no one just lands on the White House lawn, not without express permission, signed documents, years of training and (usually) the intent of picking up or dropping off its most important resident – a fact which Robert Preston quickly learned. The problem the police had was that without making radio contact, there was no way to predict where the mysterious pilot would go. Katie Serena is a New York City-based writer and a staff writer at All That's Interesting. [1] At the time of the incident, he was 20 years old, with the rank of private first class; he was described by his commanding officer as a "regular, quiet individual" with above-average intelligence. Preston evaded one of the JetRangers with what its pilots described as "modern dogfighting tactics". Even in 1974, the airspace above Washington D.C. was strictly patrolled. He earned a private pilot's license for single-engine, fixed-wing aircraft, and studied aviation management at Gulf Coast Community College, hoping to become a helicopter pilot in Vietnam. Though, he realized, if he gave himself up to the Army he’d be put in the stockade. Take Private Robert Preston, for instance: after stealing an Army helicopter from Fort Meade, Maryland, Preston decided to do what any self-respecting pilot in the Washington, D.C. area would do (sarcasm): flew it into the White House Complex. On the way to the Grand Canyon, guests can experience amazing aerial views of the Las Vegas strip, Lake Mead, and Hoover Dam. Find professional Robert Preston videos and stock footage available for license in film, television, advertising and corporate uses. Robert Preston Meservey (June 8, 1918 – March 21, 1987) was an American stage and film actor and singer of Broadway and cinema, best known and remembered for his collaboration with composer Meredith Willson and originating the role of Professor Harold Hill in the 1957 musical The Music Man and the 1962 film adaptation; the film earned him his first of two Golden Globe Award nominations. He was survived by his wife Alice, and daughters Marcia Rose Korda, Sharon Rose Murphree, and Laura Rose, and grandchildren Shannon Stewart, David Korda, Preston Murphree, and … Published on February 17, 2013 By Thomas Van Hare. Papillion-Grand Canyon, South Rim-Tour Pilot; Petroleum Helicopter Inc (PHI)-EMS Pilot; Robert Preston-CFII. Robert Preston landed a stolen helicopter on the White House grounds on February 17, 1974 while Richard Nixon was President. In a bizarre joyride that took place at around 2:00 A.M., Preston hovered the helicopter over the south lawn about 150 meters (500 ft) from the West Wing. 2 years ago . He is survived by his parents, Annie and Robert Preston, and his daughter, Alison Preston. He then flew back toward Fort Meade, with two Bell 206 JetRanger police helicopters and police cars in pursuit. Address . The aircraft was unarmed and, as was usual, was kept fueled on the flight line. [9][10][12] The duration of his court-martial was given to him as time served; this meant he had to serve a further six months in prison. However, as helicopters tend to fly low, it was only a matter of time before someone noticed one flying overhead. The helicopter was suddenly illuminated by floodlights, and the Secret Service agents opened fire with automatic weapons and shotguns. At 2 A.M. on February 17, 1974, Robert K. Preston stole a Huey helicopter from Tipton Field, flew it to Washington, D.C., and hovered for six minutes over the White House before descending on the South Lawn, about 100 yards (91 m) from the West Wing. [11][12] He pled guilty to "wrongful appropriation and breach of the peace"[13] and was sentenced to one year in prison and fined $2,400 (equivalent to $12,442 in 2019). Preston's helicopter was first discovered by the District of Columbia police when he was spotted hovering between the United States Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial. Abridged extract from Fall: The Mystery Of Robert Maxwell, by John Preston, published by Viking on February 4 at £18.99. Preston believed that this situation was unfair and later said that he stole the helicopter to show his skill as a pilot. And so, he returned to the White House lawn – and to the automatic weapons of the Secret Service, heeding Kulbaski’s orders. Votes: 12 Robert Preston being escorted out of the White House by the Secret Service. Handcuffed, Preston was taken to the Walter Reed Army Medical Center for treatment, where he arrived smiling and "laughing like hell". On February 17, 1974, U.S. Army Private Robert K. Preston took off in a stolen Bell UH-1B Iroquois "Huey" helicopter from Tipton Field, Maryland, and landed it on the South Lawn of the White House in a major breach of security. Join Facebook to connect with Robert Preston and others you may know. Specifically, he searches for and acquires value-add B and C class properties that produce a yield through the life of the investment. Robert Kenneth Preston was born in Panama City, Florida, in 1953. [2][12], Preston moved to the state of Washington after his release. Getty ImagesRobert Preston being escorted out of the White House by the Secret Service. Eventually, bullet holes and all it was flown back to its original airfield and kept as evidence. [2] At the time of the incident, Richard Nixon was traveling in Florida, and First Lady Pat Nixon was in Indianapolis, visiting their sick daughter, Julie. He caused one police car to crash by executing a head-on pass just a few inches above its roof, briefly hovered above a doughnut shop, then followed the Baltimore–Washington Parkway once again toward Washington, planning to surrender personally to U.S. President Richard Nixon. Its proximity to Las Vegas makes it an ideal base for your exploration of the Grand Canyon. Preston worked in the Wilkes County school district for 25 years while also serving on the board of directors and as an educator at Turtle Island Preserve. In an audacious breach of security in 1974, 20-year-old Robert Preston, a helicopter repairman working for the US Army, stole a helicopter from his base in Maryland and headed to the White House. The helicopter was extensively photographed as part of the investigation, then was repaired and returned to service. In the time he spent deciding, however, Preston descended upon the White House, hovering a few feet off the ground. Preston was lightly wounded, landed the helicopter, and was arrested and held in custody. Robert Preston, a young Army private who had flunked out of flight training, stole a helicopter from an airfield, flew to the White House and hovered above … After his release, Preston received a general discharge from the army, then lived a quiet life, married, and died of cancer in 2009. It would make me feel better because I love flying". Shots hit Preston's foot, and the helicopter veered to the side, bouncing on one skid, but he was able to regain control and settled his helicopter on the South Lawn, 300 feet (91 m) from the mansion. The Maryland State Police had enlisted a few helicopters of their own and were determined to chase him back to the ground. Barbara Stanwyck (born Ruby Catherine Stevens; July 16, 1907 – January 20, 1990) was an American actress, model and dancer.A stage, film and television star, she was known during her 60-year career as a consummate and versatile professional for her strong, realistic screen presence. Army Pvt Robert K Preston, who landed stolen helicopter on White House lawn in Feb, is sentenced to yr in prison at hard labor by ct-martial and is fined $2,400 (S) Getty Images offers exclusive rights-ready and premium royalty-free analog, HD, and 4K video of the highest quality. He earned a pilot's license, hoping to become a helicopter pilot in Vietnam. On Feb. 17, 1974, U.S. Army Private Robert K. Preston stole an Army helicopter and flew to the White House, landing on the South Lawn. At 2 A.M. on February 17, 1974, Robert K. Preston, a United States Army private first class, stole a United States Army Bell UH-1 Iroquois ("Huey") helicopter from Fort Meade, Maryland, flew it to Washington, D.C. and hovered for six minutes over the White House before descending on the south lawn, about 100 yards from the West Wing. [14], The Secret Service increased the size of the restricted airspace around the White House. The premise behind Capt. Historical events of the day drawn by my boyfriend, with guest artists including me, our friends, and our coworkers. Robert Preston was just a 20-year-old helicopter maintenance worker for the Army when he commandeered a helicopter and attempted to land it on the White House lawn. So, when police in D.C. noticed an unregistered helicopter flying between the Lincoln Memorial and the Capitol building, they naturally became alarmed. Robert has 9 jobs listed on their profile. This time, the Secret Service opened fire. 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