Private First Class Cornelius Emmett Campbell was born in Birmingham, AL on July 1, 1922 to parents Thomas and Margaret. Cornelius, affectionately known as Neil, attended Ensley High School and worked as a steel worker for the Tennessee Coal, Iron & Railroad Company. He was also a Golden Gloves boxer that was making a name for himself around the Birmingham boxing community. In the fall of 1942, Neil enlisted with the United States Marine Corps and served as a machine gunner in the 1st Marine Parachute Regiment in the Solomon Islands.
On December 4, 1943, Neil and his fellow Paramarines arrived at Bougainville and were moved into the Island Defensive Line atop an elevation called "Hill 100". The area was tough to manage in the dense jungle and steep slopes, all the while the Japanese were determined to keep the Marines off the ridgeline. Firefights ensued for days as US patrols moved along the area. After a succession of firefights, three men did not return to basecamp. A 30-man patrol went out to look for the missing; 1st LT Carl Boberg, PFC Melvin Eschler and PFC Neil Campbell were unable to be recovered. This area became known as "Hellzapoppin' Ridge" and it was not fully secure until December 18, 1943. More than a dozen Paramarines that were killed were buried near the ridge. Following the end of WW2, the graves were exhumed and 1st LT Boberg and PFC Eschler were able to be identified. PFC Campbell's remains were identified. He was officially declared non-recoverable in 1949.
Today, PFC Campbell is memorialized at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial. History Flight is actively researching PFC Cornelius E. Campbell's circumstances of loss, and amplifying the search and recovery efforts to bring him home to his family one day.
Source: Missing Marines
Private First Class Cornelius Emmett Campbell was born in Birmingham, AL on July 1, 1922 to parents Thomas and Margaret. Cornelius, affectionately known as Neil, attended Ensley High School and worked as a steel worker for the Tennessee Coal, Iron & Railroad Company. He was also a Golden Gloves boxer that was making a name for himself around the Birmingham boxing community. In the fall of 1942, Neil enlisted with the United States Marine Corps and served as a machine gunner in the 1st Marine Parachute Regiment in the Solomon Islands.
On December 4, 1943, Neil and his fellow Paramarines arrived at Bougainville and were moved into the Island Defensive Line atop an elevation called "Hill 100". The area was tough to manage in the dense jungle and steep slopes, all the while the Japanese were determined to keep the Marines off the ridgeline. Firefights ensued for days as US patrols moved along the area. After a succession of firefights, three men did not return to basecamp. A 30-man patrol went out to look for the missing; 1st LT Carl Boberg, PFC Melvin Eschler and PFC Neil Campbell were unable to be recovered. This area became known as "Hellzapoppin' Ridge" and it was not fully secure until December 18, 1943. More than a dozen Paramarines that were killed were buried near the ridge. Following the end of WW2, the graves were exhumed and 1st LT Boberg and PFC Eschler were able to be identified. PFC Campbell's remains were identified. He was officially declared non-recoverable in 1949.
Today, PFC Campbell is memorialized at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial. History Flight is actively researching PFC Cornelius E. Campbell's circumstances of loss, and amplifying the search and recovery efforts to bring him home to his family one day.
Source: Missing Marines
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