Jesse Campbell received his commission through the Air Force ROTC program. During the Vietnam War, in the evacuation of Kham Duc Special Forces Camp, members of the Air Force achieved a remarkable history of awards for valor. C-123 pilot Joe Jackson received the Medal of Honor and his Co-Pilot Major Jesse Campbell received the Air Force Cross. C-123 Pilot LTC Alfred Jeanotte and C-130 pilot Majors Bernard Bucher also received Air Force Crosses for their roles in this mission, the largest air-life since the Berlin Air Lift. Colonel Campbell retired from the U.S. Air Force on May 31, 1981.
Sponsored by:
Jesse
William
Campbell
November 17, 1930
–
September 28, 2013
Cemetery:
Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery
Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Air Force Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorBatallion:
311th Air Commando SquadronRegiment:
315th Special Operations WingDivision:
DaNang Air Base, VietnamAction Date:
February 23, 1968
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Order G-2443 (August 9, 1968)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major Jesse W. Campbell, United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as a C-123 Aircraft Commander of the 311th Air Commando Squadron, 315th Special Operations Wing, DaNang Air Base, Vietnam, in action on a tactical emergency mission near Khe Sanh, Republic of Vietnam, on 23 February 1968. On that date, Major Campbell displayed outstanding aerial skill and courage by landing on the third attempt in marginal weather and intense ground fire. After the expeditious offloading of ammunition, a takeoff was begun when a mortar hit near the right wing, putting one hundred and eighty shrapnel holed over his entire aircraft and severely wounding the co-pilot and loadmaster. With cool determination Major Campbell successfully completed the takeoff and flew his crippled aircraft to DaNang where an emergency landing was safely made. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Major Campbell has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Air Force Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorBatallion:
311th Air Commando SquadronRegiment:
315th Special Operations WingDivision:
DaNang Air Base, VietnamAction Date:
May 12, 1968
Department of t he Air Force, Special Order GB-316 (June 5, 1969)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Cross to Major Jesse William Campbell, United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force as a C-123 aircraft pilot of the 311th Air Commando Squadron, 315th Special Operations Wing, DaNang Air Base, Vietnam, in action at Kham Duc, Republic of Vietnam on 12 May 1968. On that date, Major Campbell volunteered to attempt the rescue of a three-man U.S. Air Force Combat Control Team from the Special Forces Camp at Kham Duc. Hostile forces had overrun the forward outpost and established gun positions on the airstrip. They were raking the camp with small arms, mortars, light and heavy automatic weapons, and recoilless rifle fire. The camp was engulfed in flames and ammunition dumps were continuously exploding and littering the runway with debris. In addition, eight aircraft had been destroyed by the intense enemy fire and one aircraft remained on the runway reducing its useable length to only 2200 feet. To further complicate a landing, the weather was deteriorating rapidly. Although fully aware of the extreme danger and likely failure of such an attempt, Major Campbell set up the approach from approximately 7300 feet above the airfield. Through a superior display of pilot expertise, he side slipped the C-123 aircraft steeply to an altitude of 500 feet above the ground. The landing roll was terminated near the point where the Combat Control Team was reported to be hiding. While on the ground, the aircraft was the target of intense hostile fire. A rocket landed in front of the nose of the aircraft but failed to explode. Once the Combat Control Team was aboard, the C-123 succeeded in getting airborne despite the hostile fire directed across the runway in front of the aircraft. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of hostile forces, Major Campbell reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Jesse W. Campbell, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a C-0123 co-pilot at Khe Sanh, Republic of Vietnam on 15 February 1968. On that date, Major Campbell was assigned a combat aerial mission in support of the besieged Marine outpost. Through professional planning and calm actions the vitally needed ammunition was safely delivered even though intense automatic weapons fire and mortar shelling was encountered. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Campbell reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelAction Date:
July 5, 1978 – July 15, 1980
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel Jesse W. Campbell, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander, 80th Flying Training Wing, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, from 5 July 1978 to 15 July 1980. In this important assignment, Colonel Campbell consistently displayed superior leadership, foresight, and managerial initiative in guiding his unit through an exceptionally difficult period for reorganization and program changes with absolutely superb results. His significant contributions to the German Air Force Undergraduate Pilot Training Program and United States Air Force flying training program have insured the complete success of the Wing’s mission and produced a basis of trust and cooperation so vital to the security posture of our own and allied air forces. The superior initiative, outstanding leadership, and personal endeavor displayed by Colonel Campbell reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelAction Date:
July 21, 1973 – March 7, 1976
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel Jesse W. Campbell, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Secretary, Inter-service Training Review Organization from 21 July 1973 to 11 May 1975 and concurrently as Assistant Chief of Staff, Headquarters Air Training Command, from 12 May 1975 to 7 March 1976. During this period, Colonel Campbell made significant contributions to the inter-service training effort, and was directly involved in training consolidations saving millions of dollars while increasing training efficiency. As Assistant Chief of Staff, he provided the continuity required to sustain operations during a period when nearly every major staff position was changed, as well as the Commander, Vice Commander, and Chief of Staff. The superior initiative, outstanding leadership, and personal endeavor displayed by Colonel Campbell reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.