Post by Don Gieseke on Oct 22, 2018 6:17:54 GMT -6
I regret to inform you that CDR. Robert Campbell died this past Saturday at the age of 101. He was believed to be the last surviving carrier pilot from the Battle of Midway. His wife Elizabeth, two years younger, plans to remain in their 1929 farm house where they have lived for 50 years. He was a guest of Tailhook in 2017 where he was honored for his longevity, having received his wings in April, 1941, and 166 straight deck traps during WW2. There will be no service at the request of CDR. Campbell.
________________________________________________
Passing of last Battle of Midway Carrier Pilot - CDR Robert "Soupy" Campbell
Robert K. (Soupy) Campbell, CDR., USN (ret)
DOB: August 18, 1917 Mildred, KS
Cdr. Campbell graduated from Paseo High School, Kansas City, KS in 1934. He became enthralled with aviation flying with his cousin who was a TWA pilot. He joined the Missouri National Guard in 1936 and spent time mapping KS, OK, MO and TX bases used in WW1. So as not to be sent to the Army he transferred to the U.S. Navy in 1940 and to Flight School in September 1940.
Bob earned his Wings and a commission as an Ensign in April 1941 having flown the N3N “Yellow Peril” and N2N Stearman. He then joined VB-3, Commanded by then Cdr Max Leslie, aboard the USS Saratoga (CV-3) flying the SBD Douglas Dauntless. Arriving at Pearl Harbor December 11, 1941 they refueled and took on stores and proceeded toward Gilbert and Marshall Islands. After taking a Japanese torpedo the Saratoga off-loaded the air wing and Ensign Campbell sailed on the USS Enterprise (CV-6) attacking Wake and Marcus Islands.
The Enterprise next joined the USS Hornet (CV-8) as escort for the Doolittle Raid on Japan. Ensign Campbell, while on a scouting mission encountered one of the picket ships and bombed it before returning to the Enterprise. Returning to Pearl Harbor VB-3 stood down then transferred to the USS Yorktown (CV-5) and sailed for Midway where he flew a bombing mission against Japanese Carrier Soryu on June 4. The Soryu was badly damaged and later scuttled. As the flight was returning to the Yorktown, she was hit by Japanese bombers and his flight was diverted to the Enterprise. That same day VB-3 including Ensign Campbell flew another sortie from the Enterprise against the Japanese Carrier Hiryu disabling her. On June 5th and 6th he flew 2 more bombing missions attacking Japanese Cruisers. For his actions at the Battle of Midway Ensign Campbell was awarded the NAVY CROSS.
Following Midway, still flying the SBD Dauntless he participated in the Battles of Guadalcanal and Soloman Islands where he shot down 2 Japanese Aichi dive bombers. Later that month he was part of the force that attacked the Carrier Ryujo resulting in its sinking. He flew against Japanese forces in the Battle of Santa Cruz attacking ships supporting Japanese resupply of Guadalcanal. Against his wishes Campbell was reassigned back to the states to become a flight instructor. He had accumulated over 1000 hours and 140 carrier landings, mostly in combat.
After his tours as a flight instructor Campbell assumed command of VB-14, flying the SB2C Curtis Dive Bomber (affectionately known as “The Beast”). VB-14 was assigned to the USS Intrepid (CV-11). They were to be in the early part of the invasion of Japan but arrived just in time for the Surrender so they were given Occupation duty which included flying throughout Japan.
Over the next 12 months Campbell flew all over the world including China, Egypt, Algiers, Italy, Hong Kong, Singapore, Suez Canal and back to Norfolk Va. Late in 1946 Campbell was assigned to “Operation High Jump”, the Adm. Byrd expedition to the Antarctic where Campbell and crew did surveying of the coastline. His next duty was at NAS Patuxent River as a Test pilot in the Service Test Unit. Then he was off to Monterey, Ca to the Naval Post Graduate School for Navy Line School.
Completing PG School CDR Campbell received orders to take command of VU-5 in Guam allowing him to fly all over the Western Pacific as part of his job, including Korea which was at war by this time. By this time he had flown nearly every aircraft in the Navy inventory. CDR Campbell spent the next few years In the Bureau of Aeronautics (BuAir), the 14th Naval District in Barbers Point, HA, OIC of NATTC Memphis and lastly as Inspector of Naval Contracts for Industrial Security at Treasure Island, CA. This position required him to fly throughout 7 Western states performing inspections. CDR Campbell retired in 1962 having done what every Naval Aviator wishes, and that is to fly every year while in the Navy.
After the Navy, CDR Campbell worked for several large companies in corporate security and personnel management. He later sold real estate in the bay area.
In May of 1967 Bob married the former Elizabeth Von Rosseler. In 1971 they settled near Chico, Ca. They enjoyed golf, skiing and traveling over the years. Bob graduated with a Business degree from Chico State in 1973. Their home is a 1929 farm house they purchased nearly 50 years ago and where they still live today.
CDR Bob Campbell had a Naval career that any aviator would envy. He flew bi-planes, carrier based prop planes, multi-engine, sea planes, jet and helicopter aircraft. He accumulated 3586 mishap free hours. He had no bail outs, never ditched or ejected. Cdr Campbell successfully made 166 Aircraft Carrier Landings on 5 different Straight Deck Carriers.
CDR Campbell is the last known living American Carrier Pilot of the Battle of Midway.