World War II Medal of Honor Recipient. A highly decorated combat veteran and the US Navy's all-time leading flying ace with 34 aerial victories, he received the award from President Franklin D. Roosevelt at the White House on January 10, 1945 for his actions as a US Navy commander with Air Group 15 assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Essex on June 14, 1944, during the Battle of the Philippine Sea and October 24-25, 1944 during the Battle of Leyte Gulf. He received an appointment to the US Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland in 1929 and graduated in 1933 with a degree in marine engineering. He was commissioned an ensign in the US Navy Reserve the following year and was assigned to active duty aboard the heavy cruiser USS Portland for three years. He was then sent to flying school and earned his wings in April 1938 and was assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Ranger. When the US entered World War II in December 1941, he was sent to the Pacific Theater of Operations, where he would see action in several major campaigns against Japanese forces. In addition to the Medal of Honor, he also received the Navy Cross. the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit (with 'V' device), the Distinguished Flying Cross (with two gold stars), and the Air Medal (with one gold star), among others. He retired from the US Navy at the rank of captain in 1964 with 31 years of military service. He died at the age of 86. His Medal of Honor citation reads: "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 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, Comdr. 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 Comdr. McCampbell and the U.S. Naval Service."