Harold D. Campbell

Harold Denny Campbell was born on March 30, 1895, in Middlesex, Vermont In 1926, he was awarded the Schiff Trophy for completing nearly 900 safe flying hours while based in San Diego. While serving in Nicaragua in 1927, Campbell earned the Navy and Marine Corps Medal. He graduated from the Air Corps Tactical School in 1929. Campbell also served in Guam and Cuba. ==World War II==

On 6 December 1941, only one day before the Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor, Campbell was appointed commanding officer of the Marine Aircraft Group 11 stationed at Brown Field within Quantico Base. He served in this capacity until 25 May 1942, when he was personally selected by Chief of Combined Operations, Lord Mountbatten. Campbell was assigned to this staff as Marine Corps Aviation Officer and his main responsibility was to advise in the matter of Air Cover for Commando operations. He participated in the planning of Dieppe Operation. Campbell served in this capacity until April 26, 1943. For his service in England, he was promoted to the rank of brigadier general and decorated with the Legion of Merit. Campbell arrived to the United States in June 1943 and reported at Headquarters Marine Corps. He has been subsequently transferred to Samoa in August 1943 and took command of 4th Marine Aircraft Wing stationed there. The 4th Marine Wing served as Aircraft Defense Force, Samoan Area, a part of Defense Forces, Samoan Group under Major General Charles F. B. Price. Campbell remained in this capacity until July 1944, when he was appointed commanding general of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. Following the Battle of Peleliu, Campbell served simultaneously as Peleliu Island Commander. He was succeeded by Brigadier General Christian F. Schilt in March 1945 and returned to the United States. Campbell was appointed commanding general of the 9th Marine Aircraft Wing and Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point. He served in this capacity until his retirement in November 1947. Campbell was advanced to the rank of major general on the retired list for having been specially commended in combat. ==Later life==

After his retirement from the Marine Corps, Campbell worked as school teacher and later also as principal at Waterbury High School. Major General Harold D. Campbell died on December 29, 1955, in Wesson Memorial Hospital, Springfield, Massachusetts. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia, together with his wife Mildred Shatuck Campbell (1898–1947). They had together two children: daughter Nancy Jean Campbell (1929–1931) and son Harold Denny Campbell III, who also graduated from Norwich University in 1951. ==Military awards==

Campbell's decorations and awards include: Legion of Merit citation :Action Date: June 16, 1942 – April 26, 1943 :Name: Harold D. Campbell :Service: United States Marine Corps :Rank: Brigadier General :Citation: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Brigadier General Harold D. Campbell (MCSN: 0-147), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Marine Corps Aviation Officer on the staff of Chief of Combined Operations (British), from June 16, 1942, to April 26, 1943. In a position of great responsibility throughout this vital period, Colonel Campbell performed his duties with marked efficiency and skill, displaying a broad professional and technical knowledge of Naval and Marine aviation and its coordination with amphibious warfare which proved invaluable to combined operations. His brilliant diplomacy, sound judgment and outstanding devotion to duty contributed materially to the development of a cordial relationship, mutual trust and understanding between the American and British Forces. ==References==