With the recent passing of our Danny I thought it appropriate to recognise the passing of the last pilot who participated in the Midway battle.
https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/chicoer/obituary.aspx?n=robert-k-campbell-cdr-usn-ret-soupy&pid=190230924&fhid=2815
Robert K. (Soupy) Campbell, CDR., USN (ret)
DOB: August 18, 1917 Mildred, KS
CDR Campbell graduated from Paseo High School, Kansas City, KS, in 1934. He became enthralled with aviation in his teen years, flying with his cousin who was a TWA pilot. He joined the Missouri National Guard in 1936 and spent time mapping KS, OK, MO and TX bases used in WW1. So as not to be sent to the Army during mobilization of Reserve Units, he transferred to the U.S. Navy early in 1940, and to Flight School in September 1940.
Soupy earned his Wings and a commission as Ensign, USN, in April 1941, having flown the N3N “Yellow Peril” and N2N Stearman. He then joined VB-3, Commanded by then Cdr Max Leslie, aboard the USS Saratoga (CV-3) flying the SBD Douglas Dauntless. Arriving at Pearl Harbor December 11, 1941 they refueled, took on stores, and proceeded toward the Gilbert and Marshall Islands, where he first saw combat action. After taking a Japanese torpedo, the Saratoga off-loaded the air wing at Pearl Harbor and Ensign Campbell sailed on the USS Enterprise (CV-6), attacking Japanese-held Wake and Marcus Islands.
The Enterprise next joined the USS Hornet (CV-8) as escort for the Doolittle Raid on Japan. Ensign Campbell, while on a scouting mission from Enterprise, encountered and sank one of the picket ships suspected of reporting the presence of the Hornet TG so close to Japan, resulting in the early launch of the Doolittle Raiders, 400 miles from their planned launch point. Returning to Pearl Harbor, VB-3 stood down, then transferred to the USS Yorktown (CV-5) and sailed for Midway where Ensign Campbell flew a bombing mission against Japanese Carrier Soryu on June 4. The Soryu was badly damaged and later scuttled. As the flight was returning to the Yorktown, she was hit and fatally damaged by Japanese bombers, so his flight was diverted to the Enterprise. That same day VB-3 including Ensign Campbell flew another sortie from the Enterprise against the Japanese Carrier Hiryu, critically disabling her, resulting in her sinking later that day by Japanese gunfire. On June 5th and 6th he flew 2 more bombing missions,attacking retreating Cruisers of the defeated Midway occupation force. For his actions at the Battle of Midway Ensign Campbell was awarded the NAVY CROSS.
Following Midway, still flying the SBD Dauntless, he participated in the Battles of Guadalcanal and Soloman Islands where he shot down 2 Japanese Aichi dive bombers. Later that month he was part of the force that attacked the Carrier Ryujo, resulting in its sinking. He also flew against Japanese forces in the Battle of Santa Cruz, attacking ships supporting Japanese resupply of Guadalcanal. Against his wishes,LT(JG) Campbell was reassigned back to the states to become a flight instructor. He had by that time accumulated over 1000 hours and 140 carrier landings, mostly in combat.
After two back-to-back tours as a flight instructor, LCDR Campbell assumed command of VB-14, flying the SB2C Curtis Dive Bomber (affectionately known as “The Beast”). VB-14 was assigned to the USS Intrepid (CV-11). They were assigned to participate in the early phases of the invasion of Japan, but arrived just in time for the Japanese capitulation. They were then reassigned Occupation duty which involved flying throughout Japan to various aviation facilities to inventory remaining aircraft for subsequent demolition.
Over the next 12 months Campbell flew all over the world including China, Egypt, Algiers, Italy, Hong Kong, Singapore, Suez Canal and back to Norfolk Va. Late in 1946 CDR Campbell was assigned to “Operation High Jump”, the Admiral Byrd expedition to the Antarctic where Campbell and crew conducted aerial survey of the Antarctica coastline. His next duty was at NAS Patuxent River as a Test Pilot in the Service Test Unit. Then he was off to Monterey, CA, to the Naval Post Graduate School for Navy Line School.
Completing PG School CDR Campbell received orders to take command of VU-5 in Guam, an assignment that enabled him to fly all over the Western Pacific in the performance of his duties, including Korea which was at war by this time. By this time he had flown nearly every aircraft in the Navy inventory. CDR Campbell spent the next few years In the Bureau of Aeronautics (BuAir) in D.C., followed by a Staff tour with Commander, 14th Naval District, Headquartered at Barbers Point, HI. He was then assigned as OIC of NATTC NAS Memphis, TN, and lastly as Inspector of Naval Contracts for Industrial Security at Treasure Island, CA. This position required him to fly throughout 7 Western states performing inspections. CDR Campbell retired in 1962 having accomplished what every Naval Aviator aspires to do, and that is to be in an active flying billet throughout every year of active duty while in the Navy.
After his Naval Service, CDR Campbell worked for several large companies in corporate security and personnel management. He later sold real estate in the San Francisco Bay area.
In May of 1967, Robert married the former Elizabeth Von Rosseler. In 1971 they settled near Chico, CA. They enjoyed golf, skiing and traveling over the years. Bob graduated with a Business Degree from Chico State College in 1973. Their home was a 1929 farm house they purchased nearly 50 years before, and where they lived to the day of his passing.
CDR Robert Campbell had a Naval career that any aviator would envy. He flew bi-planes, carrier based prop planes, multi-engine, sea planes, jet and helicopter aircraft. He accumulated 3586 mishap free hours. He had no bail outs, never ditched or ejected. CDR Campbell is credited with 166 arrested landings on 5 different Straight Deck Carriers.
CDR Campbell was the last known living American Carrier Pilot veteran of the Battle of Midway.
He is a Naval Aviation Treasure as well as a National Treasure. His words to live by are:
May I deal with honor
May I act with integrity
May I achieve humility