Years of service 1928–1942 | Unit Torpedo Squadron 8 Name George Campbell | |
Born January 7, 1907
Madras, Oregon ( 1907-01-07 ) Died June 4, 1942(1942-06-04) (aged 35)
Pacific Ocean, near Midway Atoll Allegiance United States of America Rank Lieutenant, junior grade | ||
Service/branch United States Navy | ||
2002 Friends of Adam Smith Dinner - Invocation by Col. George M. Campbell, Jr.
George M. Campbell (1907–1942) was a United States Navy officer who received the Navy Cross posthumously for his actions in combat during World War II.
Contents
- 2002 Friends of Adam Smith Dinner Invocation by Col George M Campbell Jr
- Naval career
- Awards
- Namesake
- References
Naval career
George Marvin Campbell was born on 7 January 1907 in Madras, Oregon. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on 27 June 1928.
In 1942 Campbell underwent flight training and was appointed Lieutenant, junior grade, on 2 April 1942. He joined Torpedo Squadron 8 on board the aircraft carrier USS Hornet (CV-8) just in time to take part in the Battle of Midway. Piloting a Douglas TBD-1 Devastator torpedo bomber during the battle, Campbell took off with his squadron on 4 June 1942 to intercept the Japanese fleet, and without fighter cover attacked the enemy aircraft carriers against murderous opposition. Knowing full well that they had insufficient fuel to return to Hornet, the Torpedo Squadron 8 crews pressed their attack gallantly until all were shot down. Campbell was listed as presumed dead on 5 June 1942.
Awards
Campbell was awarded the Navy Cross for his heroic actions at Midway.
Namesake
The U.S. Navy destroyer escort USS George M. Campbell (DE-773), launched in 1944 but never completed, was named for Campbell.