Medal of Honor: David McCampbell – World War II – June 19 & October 24, 1944

Name: David McCampbell
Rank: Commander
Branch: U.S. Navy
War: World War II
Unit: Air Group 15
Date of Action: June 19 and October 24, 1944
Location: Philippine Sea and waters off the Philippines

Summary of Action

During the First Battle of the Philippine Sea on 19 June 1944, Commander David McCampbell demonstrated extraordinary heroism while commanding Air Group 15 in the defense of the American fleet.

When approximately eighty Japanese carrier-based aircraft launched a major strike against U.S. naval forces, McCampbell led his Grumman F6F Hellcat fighters directly into the oncoming formation despite being heavily outnumbered.

In the fierce aerial battle that followed, he personally shot down seven enemy aircraft while helping break apart the attack before it could inflict serious damage on the fleet. The engagement became one of the defining moments of what would later be known as the “Great Marianas Turkey Shoot,” in which Japanese naval aviation suffered catastrophic losses.

Four months later, during the Battle of Leyte Gulf on 24 October 1944, McCampbell again faced overwhelming odds.

Accompanied by only a single wingman, he intercepted a force of approximately sixty Japanese land-based aircraft advancing toward the American fleet.

Rather than waiting for reinforcements, he attacked immediately.

Displaying remarkable flying skill and aggressive determination, McCampbell repeatedly dove into the enemy formation, personally destroying nine aircraft while scattering and disorganizing the remainder.

His relentless assault forced the surviving Japanese pilots to abandon their attack before a single enemy aircraft could reach the U.S. fleet.

Across these two engagements, Commander McCampbell’s fearless leadership, extraordinary marksmanship, and willingness to engage vastly superior numbers established him as the highest-scoring ace in United States Navy history with thirty-four aerial victories.

His courage and aggressive fighting spirit reflected the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Medal of Honor Citation

McCAMPBELL, DAVID

Rank and organization: Commander, U.S. Navy, Air Group 15.

Place and date: First Battle of the Philippine Sea, 19 June 1944, and fleet engagement on 24 October 1944.

Entered service at: Florida.

Born: 16 January 1910, Bessemer, Ala.

Other awards: Navy Cross, Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross with two Gold Stars, Air Medal.

Citation:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as commander, Air Group Fifteen, 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, Commander McCampbell led his fighter planes against a force of eighty Japanese carrier-based aircraft bearing down on our Fleet on June 19, 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 October 24, Commander McCampbell, assisted by but one plane, intercepted and daringly attacked a formation of sixty 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 Commander McCampbell and the United States Naval Service.