Award Documents Attributed To Medal Of Honor Recipient David S. Mccampbell Usn

Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Certificate (inscribed "In the Name and by Authority of the National Committee / Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States / Whereas David McCampbell has been duly appointed National Aide-de-Camp, Congressional Medal of Honor Class / VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE UNITED STATES / Therefore, Know Ye, that under authority of the Constitution and By-Laws of Said Organization in such case made and provided. I, the undersigned Commander in Chief do hereby commission him to rank as such from the 20th day of May one thousand nine hundred seventy-seven. He is therefore to discharge faithfully and diligently the duties of said office by doing and performing all manner of things thereunto belonging. This commission is to continue in force from day aforesaid for the period of service prescribed by the By-Laws of the Organization unless otherwise lawfully determined and revoked. Given under my Hand and the Seal of the National Organization at National Headquarters, this 20th day of May 1977. Attest:", signed by Adjutant General Julian Dickenson and Commander in Chief R.D. Smith Jr., gold embossed National Encampment Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States ribboned seal at the lower left, printed in black and gold-coloured inks on a white card stock, 217 mm x 278 mm, sunned); conjoined State of Colorado Marriage License and Marriage Certificate (Marriage License stating that it was issued on May 13, 1963 to David McCampbell of Colorado Springs and Nancy Jane Canterbury of Colorado Springs, signed in black ink by the County Clerk and the Deputy, embossed stamp of El Paso County at the lower left; the Marriage Certificate stating that the couple married on May 17, 1963 at Ent AFB, Chapel, signed in black ink by both parties, the Chaplain and their witnesses, dual embossed stamps of the Office of the Chaplain United States Air Force, printed in black ink on a white paper stock, the serial numbering in red, 224 mm x 350 mm, fold marks); Fogarty Bros. Transfer Inc. Straight Bill of Lading (numbered "006 1231 00", issue dated December 6, 1965, issued at Orlando, Florida, shipper: Captain David McCampbell of Orlando, consigned to Captain David McCampbell of Lantana, Florida, signed in blue ink by McCampbell and the agent/driver and dated June 14, 1965, printed in black ink on a thin white paper stock, 215 mm x 280 mm, fold mark); Medal of Honor Dedication Letter (illustrating the Medal of Honor, with his citation below, signed in black ink "David McCampbell / CAPT. US NAVY (RET)", printed in black ink on a cream-coloured paper stock, 215 mm x 278 mm); Medal of Honor Slip (signed in black ink "CAPT. David McCampbell", printed in black ink on a blue paper stock, 69 mm x 164 mm); Artist's Sketch of McCampbell (illustrating McCampbell in his flying gear, with his squadron insignia behind him, signed in black ink "David McCampbell", printed in black ink on a white blotter-type paper stock, 202 mm x 254 mm); along with a photocopy of a Newspaper Clipping (illustrating McCmapbell receiving his Medal of Honor from President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the caption reading "HIGHEST HONOR - Comdr. David McCampbell, Hellcat ace who leads Navy fighter pilots with 34 Jap kills, accepts Congressional Medal of Honor from President Roosevelt. That's Dave's mother beaming proudly in the background."). Near extremely fine.

Footnote: David S. McCampbell was born on January 16, 1910 in Bessemer, Alabama, his home of record later stated as West Palm Beach, Florida. McCampbell's naval career actually began with a dismissal. Graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis in depression-era 1933, he was rewarded with an honorable discharge from a Navy without funds. But in June 1934, McCampbell was called back and commissioned as an ensign in the U.S. Naval Reserve on June 1, 1933. He went on active duty on June 14, 1934, and served aboard the heavy cruiser USS Portland from June 1934 to June 1937 before he started flight training at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida. He received his "wings of gold" on April 21, 1938 and was assigned to Fighting Squadron Four (VF-4) on the aircraft carrier USS Ranger to May 1940. He served as a landing signal officer (LSO) from May 1940, surviving the sinking of the carrier USS Wasp (CV-7) by a Japanese submarine near Guadalcanal on September 12, 1942. He returned to the United States, was promoted to Lieutenant Commander, and was stationed at Naval Air Station Melbourne, Florida as LSO Instructor until August 1943. McCampbell formed Fighter Squadron 15 (VF-15) on September 1, 1943 and led the squadron before being reassigned as Commander of Air Group 15 (AG-15) in February 1944 to September 1944. As Commander, Carrier Air Group (CAG) 15, he was Commander of the Essex Air Group (fighters, bombers, and torpedo bombers) when the group was aboard the aircraft carrier USS Essex. From April to November 1944, his group saw six months of 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 entered combat on May 14th and flew at least four Grumman F6F Hellcats while aboard the Essex: an F6F-3 named Monsoon Maiden (damaged by AA, removed from service on 20 May 1944), an F6F-3 named The Minsi (10½ kills), an F6F-5 named Minsi II, and an F6F-5 named Minsi III (Bureau Number 70143), in which he scored the last 23½ of his 34 kills. On June 19, 1944, during the "Marianas Turkey Shoot," Commander McCampbellshot down five Japanese Yokosuka D4Y "Judy" dive-bombers, to become an "ace in a day". Later that afternoon, during a second sortie, McCampbell downed another two Mitsubishi A6M "Zekes" over Guam. On October 24, 1944, he became the only American airman to achieve "ace in a day" status twice. McCampbell and his wingman attacked a Japanese force of sixty aircraft. McCampbell shot down nine, setting a U.S. single mission aerial combat record. During this same action, his wingman downed another six Japanese warplanes. When he landed his Grumman F6F Hellcat aboard USS Langley (the flight deck of Essex wasn't clear), his six machine guns had just two rounds remaining, and his airplane had to be manually released from the arrestor wire due to complete fuel exhaustion. Commander McCampbell received the Medal of Honor for both actions, becoming the only Fast Carrier Task Force pilot to be so honored. Campbell is the U.S. Navy's all-time leading flying ace with thirty-four aerial victories and the third-highest American scoring ace of the Second World War and the highest-scoring American ace to survive the war. He also set a world single mission aerial combat record of shooting down nine enemy planes in one mission, on October 24, 1944. With the award of the Navy Cross on October 25, 1944, he is the only man ever to earn both of the Navy's top two awards in successive days. McCampbell was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor in the rank of Commander, as Commanding Officer, Air Group 15 (AG-15) attached to USS Essex (CV-9), for actions during the first and second battles of the Philippine Sea and Leyte Gulf, on June 19 and October 24, 1944, his citation stating: "The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Commander David S. McCampbell (NSN: 0-72487), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as Commander, Air Group FIFTEEN (AG-15), attached to the U.S.S. ESSEX (CV-9), 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, Commander 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 seven 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, Commander McCampbell, assisted by but one 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 nine 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 Commander McCampbell and the United States Naval Service." McCampbell was awarded the Navy Cross in the rank of Commander, as Commanding Officer, Air Group 15 (AG-15) attached to USS Essex (CV-9), for actions on October 25, 1944, his citation stating: "The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Commander David S. McCampbell (NSN: 0-72487), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Combat Plane and Commanding Officer of Air Group FIFTEEN (AG-15), attached to the U.S.S. ESSEX (CV-9), and as Target Coordinator for the combined aircraft of three Task Groups, in operations against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of Luzon, Philippine Islands, during the battle of Leyte Gulf on 25 October 1944. Commander McCampbell's coolness, quick thinking, superior judgment and outstanding leadership resulted in the sinking of one medium aircraft carrier, one light cruiser, two destroyers, the heavily damaging of one large aircraft carrier, one small aircraft carrier, two destroyers and the damaging of one battleship. By his outstanding performance not only was the maximum damage inflicted on the enemy but our own losses were kept at a minimum. His courage and skill were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service." McCampbell was awarded the Silver Star in the rank of Captain, as Commanding Officer, Air Group 15 (AG-15) attached to USS Essex (CV-9), for actions on September 12, 1944, his citation stating: "The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain [then Commander] David S. McCampbell (NSN: 0-72487), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Pilot of a carrier-based Fighter Plane in Air Group FIFTEEN (AG-15), attached to the U.S.S. ESSEX (CV-9), in an attack against the enemy in the Central Philippine Islands on 12 September 1944. Commander McCampbell so ably led the attack group as to cause maximum damage and destruction to the enemy and he did, personally, engage and destroy four enemy airplanes in aerial combat and, in the face of anti-aircraft fire, did strafe and cause serious damage to an enemy merchant ship. Captain McCampbell's relentless devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service." McCampbell was awarded the Legion of Merit with "V" Device in the rank of Commander, as Commanding Officer, Air Group 15 (AG-15) attached to USS Essex (CV-9), for actions on November 11-14, 1944, his citation stating: "The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat "V" to Commander David S. McCampbell (NSN: 0-72487), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Target Coordinator during carrier attacks on the enemy in the Philippine Islands 11 - 14 November 1944. When he successfully directed the efforts of numerous attacking groups and so skillfully deployed the forces at his command as to completely destroy a large enemy troop convoy and to cause the maximum damage to shipping and to harbor facilities in the Philippine area. His courageous and resourceful leadership was at all times inspiring to the pilots who followed him and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Commander Campbell is authorized to wear the Combat "V".)." McCampbell was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in the rank of Lieutenant Commander, as Commanding Officer, Air Group 15 (AG-15) attached to USS Essex (CV-9), for actions on May 19, 1944, his citation stating: "The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander David S. McCampbell (NSN: 0-72487), United States Navy, for heroism while participating in aerial flight in the line of his profession as Commander of an air group in operations against the enemy. He led his group against the strong fortifications on Marcus Island on 19 May 1944 and early in the attack was hit by anti-aircraft fire which seriously damaged the after-fuselage and controls, and set fire to the auxiliary gasoline tank. Despite this heavy damage to his own plane, he remained to direct operations of his Group until all ammunition was expended and then led them back to their carrier. By his courage and skill he insured that the maximum amount of destruction was inflicted on the enemy. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service." McCampbell was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross in the rank of Lieutenant Commander, as Commanding Officer, Air Group 15 (AG-15) attached to USS Essex (CV-9), for actions on June 19, 1944, his citation stating: "The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander David S. McCampbell (NSN: 0-72487), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight against enemy forces on 19 June 1944. As Commander of a carrier-based Air Group, he led component parts of his group in an outstanding attack against an enemy convoy in the vicinity of the Marianas Islands. His timely coordination of strafing, dive bombing, low level bombing and rocket attacks was such that it resulted in the destruction of upwards of fifty thousand tons of enemy merchant shipping, at least one enemy destroyer and three escort vessels, and damage to numerous others. He contributed courageous and inspiring leadership to the officers and men under his command. His courage and skill were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service." McCampbell was awarded a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross in the rank of Commander, as Commanding Officer, Air Group 15 (AG-15) attached to USS Essex (CV-9), for actions on September 13, 1944, his citation stating: "The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander David S. McCampbell (NSN: 0-72487), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as pilot of a carrier-based fighter plane on 13 September 1944. When, as leader of a fighter sweep assigned to a mission against the enemy in the Central Philippines. He did engage and destroy in aerial combat three enemy planes and did, in the face of anti-aircraft fire, destroy two more planes on the ground by strafing. His courage and ability were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

Following the Second World War, McCampbell had several postings. He returned to the United States in March 1945 and served as Chief of Staff to the Commander Fleet Air at NAS Norfolk, Virginia, until January 1947. He then attended Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Virginia and remained as an instructor after graduating. He served as the Senior Naval Aviation Advisor to the Argentine Navy, stationed at Buenos Aires, Argentina, from 1948 to January 1951, and then served as Executive Officer aboard USS Franklin D. Roosevelt during the Korean War (although the ship did not participate in combat) from February 1951 to March 1952. He was promoted to Captain in July 1952, then assigned as the Planning Officer on the Staff of Commander Aircraft Atlantic from March 1952 to July 1953. He served as the Commanding Officer, Naval Air Technical Training Center Jacksonville at NAS Jacksonville, Florida, from July 1953 to July 1954. He then commanded the fleet oiler USS Severn, followed by the aircraft carrier USS Bon Homme Richard. Captain McCampbell was then assigned to the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon from 1960 to September 1962. His final assignment was as Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations to the Commander in Chief, Continental Air Defense Command, where he served from September 1962 until his retirement from the Navy on July 1, 1964 during the Vietnam War, with thirty-one years' service. The year before he retired, he married Nancy Jane Canterbury on May 17, 1963, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. In addition to the Congressional Medal of Honor, the Navy Cross, the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit with "V" Device and the Distinguished Flying Cross with two 5/16 inch stars, he was also awarded the Air Medal with one 5/16 inch star, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Navy Presidential Unit Citation with one star, the American Defense Service Medal with bronze "A" Device, the American Campaign Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with one service star, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with one silver and two bronze service stars, the World War II Victory Medal, the Army of Occupation Medal with "Japan" clasp, the National Defense Service Medal with one service star, the Navy Distinguished Public Service Award, the Philippine Liberation Medal with two service stars and the United States Navy Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon with Expert device. Captain McCampbell died on June 30, 1996, at the age of 86 and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia, Plot: Section 60, Lot 3150. (C:100)