McCAMPBELL, DAVID - Medal of Honor Recipient
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. Birth: 16 January 1 910, 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.
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