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 S. McCampbell (January 16, 1910 - June 30, 1996) was an American naval 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.

McCampbell formed VF-15 on 1 September 1943 and led the squadron before being assigned as Commander of Air Group Fifteen in February 1944 to September 1944. As Commander Air Group (CAG) 15, he was 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. McCampbell flew three F-6F Hellcats while aboard the Essex: an F-6F-3 named The Minsi, an F-6F-5 named Minsi II, and an F-6F-5N named Minsi III (Bureau Number 70143), in which he scored the last 20 his 34 kills.

On June 19, 1944, during the "Marianas Turkey Shoot," Cdr. McCampbell shot down seven Japanese aircraft, to become an "Ace in a day." On October 24, 1944, he repeated the feat, the only American airman to do so. McCampbell and his wingman attacked a Japanese force of 60 aircraft. McCampbell shot down nine, 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. Cdr. McCampbell received the Medal of Honor for both actions, becoming the only fast carrier task force pilot to be so honored.

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 (DDG-85), and the terminal at the Palm Beach International Airport are named in his honor.

[edit] Decorations


[edit] Medal of Honor citation

The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to

McCAMPBELL, DAVID

Rank and Organization: Commander, U.S. Navy, Air Group 15. Place and Date: First and second battles of the Philippine Sea, 19 June 1944. Entered Service at: Florida. Born: 16 January 1910, Bessemer, Ala. Other Navy awards: Navy Cross, Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross with 2 Gold Stars, Air Medal.

Citation:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as commander, Air Group 15, during combat against enemy Japanese aerial forces in the first and second battles of the Philippine Sea. An inspiring leader, fighting boldly in the face of terrific odds, Comdr. McCampbell led his fighter planes against a force of 80 Japanese carrier-based aircraft bearing down on our fleet on 19 June 1944. Striking fiercely in valiant defense of our surface force, he personally destroyed 7 hostile planes during this single engagement in which the outnumbering attack force was utterly routed and virtually annihilated. During a major fleet engagement with the enemy on 24 October, Comdr. McCampbell, assisted by but l plane, intercepted and daringly attacked a formation of 60 hostile land-based craft approaching our forces. Fighting desperately but with superb skill against such overwhelming airpower, he shot down 9 Japanese planes and, completely disorganizing the enemy group, forced the remainder to abandon the attack before a single aircraft could reach the fleet. His great personal valor and indomitable spirit of aggression under extremely perilous combat conditions reflect the highest credit upon Comdr. McCampbell and the U.S. Naval Service.

(Citation Courtesy of Arlington National Cemetery website)

[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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