12. Private Robert Preston stole a helicopter and flew to the White House in the middle of the night
Enlisting in the United States Army with aspirations of becoming a helicopter pilot, Robert Preston washed out of training due to “deficiency in the instrument phase” and was instead transferred to Fort George G. Meade to train as a helicopter mechanic. On February 17, 1974, after leaving a dance hall shortly after midnight, the depressed Preston, suffering from a failed relationship and discontent with the progression of his military career, decided flying a helicopter would improve his mood. Following the lights of the Baltimore-Washington Parkway, Preston was discovered by police hovering between the United States Capitol and Lincoln Memorial.
After spending a few minutes in the restricted area, Preston subsequently flew to the White House and landed on the south lawn. Leaving soon after, heading back towards Fort Meade, Preston was chased by police helicopters and decided to return to the White House to surrender to Richard Nixon personally. Arriving back at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, this time prepared, the Secret Service opened fire. Hitting Preston only five times with over three hundred shots fired, causing superficial injuries, as he exited the helicopter to run towards the White House the would-be pilot was tackled by agents and duly arrested for “wrongful appropriation and breach of the peace”.