Born on October 7, 1921, Richard "Jack" Milburn Campbell was the fourth of six children born to Isaac and Ernest Campbell. He was born in Nevada County, California, near the Old Allison Ranch Mine and raised in Calera, Bryan County, Oklahoma.
In high school he was known as a standout athlete in basketball and track. He graduated from Calera High School in 1940, and enrolled in Oklahoma City University's night classes in September of 1941. Following in his father's footsteps, Jack became a self-employed farmer by the time he was twenty years old.
Jack enlisted in the service on July 8, 1942 (ASN 18126228), alongside his brother, Casper, and following in the footsteps of another brother, William, who had joined in January of the same year. Jack rose quickly in the ranks of the Army Air Service, eventually achieving the rank of staff sergeant in the 52nd Bombardment Squadron.
From January 1942 until the summer of 1942, the 52nd Bombardment Squadron flew anti-submarine missions in the Gulf of Mexico. After nine months in the service, Jack and the 52nd Bombardment Squadron were relocated to Gowen Field, near Boise, Idaho. Once the threat of German u-boats had lessened, the squadron became an Operational Training Unit, which involved the use of an oversized parent unit to provide cadres to satellite groups. During the wartime years, this airfield was a major training base for B-17 and B-24 heavy bomber crews.
On May 3, 1943, one month and twelve days after Jack relocated to Gowen Field, he was flying in a routine training mission for the 52nd Bombardment Squadron in the 29th Bomb Group as a waist gunner on a B-17F (SN 42-6215), when the bomber exploded in mid-air, killing all eight aboard the aircraft instantly. Fellow crewmates aboard the aircraft were: Second Lt. Lewis A. Lilliard, Second Lt. Thomas M. Homer, Second Lt. Rector Arney (Pilot), Second Lt. Luther Chase, Sgt. Melvin Kaizer, Sgt. John W. Strickland, and Sgt. Otis L. Blackwood.
SSGT Richard "Jack" Campbell was laid to rest at the Rose Hill Cemetery in Calera, Oklahoma. He was survived by his father, Isaac R. Campbell (b. 1883 - d. 1955), his mother, Ernest L. Campbell (b. 1897 - d. 1988), and five siblings, including his brothers William and Casper, who survived the war.
This story is part of the Stories Behind the Stars project (see www.storiesbehindthestars.org). This is a national effort of volunteers to write the stories of all 421,000+ of the US WWII fallen saved on Together We Served and Fold3. Can you help write these stories? These stories will be accessible via smartphone app at any war memorial or cemetery.
If you noticed anything erroneous in this profile or have additional information to contribute to it, please contact me at [email protected].
SBTSProject/Oklahoma/Bryan
Find a Grave Link: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/65470623/richard-m-campbell
Sources:
The Post-Register: https://www.newspapers.com/image/74544456/?terms=richard%20m%20campbell&match=1
Durant Weekly News and Bryan County Democrat: https://www.newspapers.com/image/748277583/?article=fba96be5-42c5-4cb9-a8d2-cc9db20af7f4&terms=richard%20m%20campbell
U.S., Headstone Applications for Military Veterans, 1861-1985: https://www.ancestryinstitution.com/discoveryui-content/view/214966:2375
U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947: https://www.ancestryinstitution.com/discoveryui-content/view/13845671:2238?tid=&pid=&queryId=7a8f058a6cc1e4685c657f13e43090a6&_phsrc=dhO29&_phstart=successSource
Idaho, U.S., Death Records, 1890-1971: https://www.ancestryinstitution.com/discoveryui-content/view/141586:60566
1940 United States Federal Census: https://www.ancestryinstitution.com/discoveryui-content/view/87987478:2442
1930 United States Federal Census: https://www.ancestryinstitution.com/discoveryui-content/view/44235273:6224
In high school he was known as a standout athlete in basketball and track. He graduated from Calera High School in 1940, and enrolled in Oklahoma City University's night classes in September of 1941. Following in his father's footsteps, Jack became a self-employed farmer by the time he was twenty years old.
Jack enlisted in the service on July 8, 1942 (ASN 18126228), alongside his brother, Casper, and following in the footsteps of another brother, William, who had joined in January of the same year. Jack rose quickly in the ranks of the Army Air Service, eventually achieving the rank of staff sergeant in the 52nd Bombardment Squadron.
From January 1942 until the summer of 1942, the 52nd Bombardment Squadron flew anti-submarine missions in the Gulf of Mexico. After nine months in the service, Jack and the 52nd Bombardment Squadron were relocated to Gowen Field, near Boise, Idaho. Once the threat of German u-boats had lessened, the squadron became an Operational Training Unit, which involved the use of an oversized parent unit to provide cadres to satellite groups. During the wartime years, this airfield was a major training base for B-17 and B-24 heavy bomber crews.
On May 3, 1943, one month and twelve days after Jack relocated to Gowen Field, he was flying in a routine training mission for the 52nd Bombardment Squadron in the 29th Bomb Group as a waist gunner on a B-17F (SN 42-6215), when the bomber exploded in mid-air, killing all eight aboard the aircraft instantly. Fellow crewmates aboard the aircraft were: Second Lt. Lewis A. Lilliard, Second Lt. Thomas M. Homer, Second Lt. Rector Arney (Pilot), Second Lt. Luther Chase, Sgt. Melvin Kaizer, Sgt. John W. Strickland, and Sgt. Otis L. Blackwood.
SSGT Richard "Jack" Campbell was laid to rest at the Rose Hill Cemetery in Calera, Oklahoma. He was survived by his father, Isaac R. Campbell (b. 1883 - d. 1955), his mother, Ernest L. Campbell (b. 1897 - d. 1988), and five siblings, including his brothers William and Casper, who survived the war.
This story is part of the Stories Behind the Stars project (see www.storiesbehindthestars.org). This is a national effort of volunteers to write the stories of all 421,000+ of the US WWII fallen saved on Together We Served and Fold3. Can you help write these stories? These stories will be accessible via smartphone app at any war memorial or cemetery.
If you noticed anything erroneous in this profile or have additional information to contribute to it, please contact me at [email protected].
SBTSProject/Oklahoma/Bryan
Find a Grave Link: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/65470623/richard-m-campbell
Sources:
The Post-Register: https://www.newspapers.com/image/74544456/?terms=richard%20m%20campbell&match=1
Durant Weekly News and Bryan County Democrat: https://www.newspapers.com/image/748277583/?article=fba96be5-42c5-4cb9-a8d2-cc9db20af7f4&terms=richard%20m%20campbell
U.S., Headstone Applications for Military Veterans, 1861-1985: https://www.ancestryinstitution.com/discoveryui-content/view/214966:2375
U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947: https://www.ancestryinstitution.com/discoveryui-content/view/13845671:2238?tid=&pid=&queryId=7a8f058a6cc1e4685c657f13e43090a6&_phsrc=dhO29&_phstart=successSource
Idaho, U.S., Death Records, 1890-1971: https://www.ancestryinstitution.com/discoveryui-content/view/141586:60566
1940 United States Federal Census: https://www.ancestryinstitution.com/discoveryui-content/view/87987478:2442
1930 United States Federal Census: https://www.ancestryinstitution.com/discoveryui-content/view/44235273:6224
Born on October 7, 1921, Richard "Jack" Milburn Campbell was the fourth of six children born to Isaac and Ernest Campbell. He was born in Nevada County, California, near the Old Allison Ranch Mine and raised in Calera, Bryan County, Oklahoma.
In high school he was known as a standout athlete in basketball and track. He graduated from Calera High School in 1940, and enrolled in Oklahoma City University's night classes in September of 1941. Following in his father's footsteps, Jack became a self-employed farmer by the time he was twenty years old.
Jack enlisted in the service on July 8, 1942 (ASN 18126228), alongside his brother, Casper, and following in the footsteps of another brother, William, who had joined in January of the same year. Jack rose quickly in the ranks of the Army Air Service, eventually achieving the rank of staff sergeant in the 52nd Bombardment Squadron.
From January 1942 until the summer of 1942, the 52nd Bombardment Squadron flew anti-submarine missions in the Gulf of Mexico. After nine months in the service, Jack and the 52nd Bombardment Squadron were relocated to Gowen Field, near Boise, Idaho. Once the threat of German u-boats had lessened, the squadron became an Operational Training Unit, which involved the use of an oversized parent unit to provide cadres to satellite groups. During the wartime years, this airfield was a major training base for B-17 and B-24 heavy bomber crews.
On May 3, 1943, one month and twelve days after Jack relocated to Gowen Field, he was flying in a routine training mission for the 52nd Bombardment Squadron in the 29th Bomb Group as a waist gunner on a B-17F (SN 42-6215), when the bomber exploded in mid-air, killing all eight aboard the aircraft instantly. Fellow crewmates aboard the aircraft were: Second Lt. Lewis A. Lilliard, Second Lt. Thomas M. Homer, Second Lt. Rector Arney (Pilot), Second Lt. Luther Chase, Sgt. Melvin Kaizer, Sgt. John W. Strickland, and Sgt. Otis L. Blackwood.
SSGT Richard "Jack" Campbell was laid to rest at the Rose Hill Cemetery in Calera, Oklahoma. He was survived by his father, Isaac R. Campbell (b. 1883 - d. 1955), his mother, Ernest L. Campbell (b. 1897 - d. 1988), and five siblings, including his brothers William and Casper, who survived the war.
This story is part of the Stories Behind the Stars project (see www.storiesbehindthestars.org). This is a national effort of volunteers to write the stories of all 421,000+ of the US WWII fallen saved on Together We Served and Fold3. Can you help write these stories? These stories will be accessible via smartphone app at any war memorial or cemetery.
If you noticed anything erroneous in this profile or have additional information to contribute to it, please contact me at [email protected].
SBTSProject/Oklahoma/Bryan
Find a Grave Link: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/65470623/richard-m-campbell
Sources:
The Post-Register: https://www.newspapers.com/image/74544456/?terms=richard%20m%20campbell&match=1
Durant Weekly News and Bryan County Democrat: https://www.newspapers.com/image/748277583/?article=fba96be5-42c5-4cb9-a8d2-cc9db20af7f4&terms=richard%20m%20campbell
U.S., Headstone Applications for Military Veterans, 1861-1985: https://www.ancestryinstitution.com/discoveryui-content/view/214966:2375
U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947: https://www.ancestryinstitution.com/discoveryui-content/view/13845671:2238?tid=&pid=&queryId=7a8f058a6cc1e4685c657f13e43090a6&_phsrc=dhO29&_phstart=successSource
Idaho, U.S., Death Records, 1890-1971: https://www.ancestryinstitution.com/discoveryui-content/view/141586:60566
1940 United States Federal Census: https://www.ancestryinstitution.com/discoveryui-content/view/87987478:2442
1930 United States Federal Census: https://www.ancestryinstitution.com/discoveryui-content/view/44235273:6224
In high school he was known as a standout athlete in basketball and track. He graduated from Calera High School in 1940, and enrolled in Oklahoma City University's night classes in September of 1941. Following in his father's footsteps, Jack became a self-employed farmer by the time he was twenty years old.
Jack enlisted in the service on July 8, 1942 (ASN 18126228), alongside his brother, Casper, and following in the footsteps of another brother, William, who had joined in January of the same year. Jack rose quickly in the ranks of the Army Air Service, eventually achieving the rank of staff sergeant in the 52nd Bombardment Squadron.
From January 1942 until the summer of 1942, the 52nd Bombardment Squadron flew anti-submarine missions in the Gulf of Mexico. After nine months in the service, Jack and the 52nd Bombardment Squadron were relocated to Gowen Field, near Boise, Idaho. Once the threat of German u-boats had lessened, the squadron became an Operational Training Unit, which involved the use of an oversized parent unit to provide cadres to satellite groups. During the wartime years, this airfield was a major training base for B-17 and B-24 heavy bomber crews.
On May 3, 1943, one month and twelve days after Jack relocated to Gowen Field, he was flying in a routine training mission for the 52nd Bombardment Squadron in the 29th Bomb Group as a waist gunner on a B-17F (SN 42-6215), when the bomber exploded in mid-air, killing all eight aboard the aircraft instantly. Fellow crewmates aboard the aircraft were: Second Lt. Lewis A. Lilliard, Second Lt. Thomas M. Homer, Second Lt. Rector Arney (Pilot), Second Lt. Luther Chase, Sgt. Melvin Kaizer, Sgt. John W. Strickland, and Sgt. Otis L. Blackwood.
SSGT Richard "Jack" Campbell was laid to rest at the Rose Hill Cemetery in Calera, Oklahoma. He was survived by his father, Isaac R. Campbell (b. 1883 - d. 1955), his mother, Ernest L. Campbell (b. 1897 - d. 1988), and five siblings, including his brothers William and Casper, who survived the war.
This story is part of the Stories Behind the Stars project (see www.storiesbehindthestars.org). This is a national effort of volunteers to write the stories of all 421,000+ of the US WWII fallen saved on Together We Served and Fold3. Can you help write these stories? These stories will be accessible via smartphone app at any war memorial or cemetery.
If you noticed anything erroneous in this profile or have additional information to contribute to it, please contact me at [email protected].
SBTSProject/Oklahoma/Bryan
Find a Grave Link: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/65470623/richard-m-campbell
Sources:
The Post-Register: https://www.newspapers.com/image/74544456/?terms=richard%20m%20campbell&match=1
Durant Weekly News and Bryan County Democrat: https://www.newspapers.com/image/748277583/?article=fba96be5-42c5-4cb9-a8d2-cc9db20af7f4&terms=richard%20m%20campbell
U.S., Headstone Applications for Military Veterans, 1861-1985: https://www.ancestryinstitution.com/discoveryui-content/view/214966:2375
U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947: https://www.ancestryinstitution.com/discoveryui-content/view/13845671:2238?tid=&pid=&queryId=7a8f058a6cc1e4685c657f13e43090a6&_phsrc=dhO29&_phstart=successSource
Idaho, U.S., Death Records, 1890-1971: https://www.ancestryinstitution.com/discoveryui-content/view/141586:60566
1940 United States Federal Census: https://www.ancestryinstitution.com/discoveryui-content/view/87987478:2442
1930 United States Federal Census: https://www.ancestryinstitution.com/discoveryui-content/view/44235273:6224
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