David McCampbell

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David McCampbell
January 16, 1910 - June 30, 1996

Ace pilot David McCampbell
Place of birth Bessemer, Alabama
Allegiance USN
Years of service 1933 - 1964
Rank Captain
Battles/wars World War II
Awards
Medal of Honor
Navy Cross
Silver Star Medal
Legion of Merit with Combat “V”
Distinguished Flying Cross (3)
Air Medal

Captain David McCampbell (January 16, 1910 - June 30, 1996) was an American aviator, who became the US Navy’s all-time leading ace with 34 aerial victories during World War II.

McCambell was born in Bessemer, Alabama, and raised in West Palm Beach, Florida. He attended the Staunton Military Academy and one year at the Georgia School of Technology before his appointment to the United States Naval Academy, where he graduated with the class of 1933.

Contents

[edit] Service record

Following service aboard a cruiser, 1935-37, McCampbell applied for flight training and was accepted. He received his "wings of gold" in 1938 and was assigned to Fighting Squadron Four on the East Coast. Subsequently he became a landing signal officer and survived the sinking of USS Wasp (CV-7) off Guadalcanal in September 1942.

From September 1943 to September 1944 McCampbell was commander of Air Group 15, in charge of fighters, bombers, and torpedo bombers aboard the aircraft carrier USS Essex. From April to November 1944, his group saw six months of continuous combat and participated in two major air-sea battles, the First and Second Battles of the Philippine Sea. During the more than 20,000 hours of air combat operations before it returned to the United States for a rest period, Air Group 15 destroyed more enemy planes (315 airborne and 348 on the ground) and sank more enemy shipping than any other Air Group in the Pacific War. Air Group 15’s attacks on the Japanese in the Marianas and at Iwo Jima, Taiwan, and Okinawa were key to the success of the “island hopping” campaign.

In addition to his duties as commander of the “Fabled Fifteen,” then Commander McCampbell became the Navy’s “Ace of Aces” during the missions he flew in 1944. In October 1944, he and his wingman attacked a Japanese force of 60 aircraft. During the mission, Captain McCampbell shot down nine enemy planes, setting a single mission aerial combat record. When he landed his Grumman F6F Hellcat, his six machine guns had two rounds remaining and the plane had only enough fuel to keep it aloft for 10 more minutes. Captain McCampbell received the Medal of Honor for that action, becoming the only fast carrier task force pilot to do so. During a similarly courageous mission in June 1944, Air Group 15’s planes routed a large enemy force and McCampbell earned seven kills.

For his brilliant record in command of Air Group 15, McCampbell was awarded the Medal of Honor, the Navy Cross, the Silver Star Medal, Legion of Merit with Combat “V”, the Distinguished Flying Cross with two Gold Stars in lieu of the second and third awards, and the Air Medal.

Following World War II, McCampbell had several postings, including command of the carrier USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31) during the Korean War. He also served as the plans division chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Captain McCampbell retired from active duty in 1964. He died in 1996 and was interred at Arlington National Cemetery.

An Arleigh Burke Class AEGIS Destroyer (the USS McCampbell) and the terminal at the Palm Beach International Airport are named in his honor.

[edit] Decorations

[edit] Family

McCampbell's son, also named David, is also a graduate of the United States Naval Academy. He commanded the Navy's Dive School in Panama City, Florida and retired with the rank of Commander.

[edit] References

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