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 Thomas A. Campbell (AFSN: 0-3005518), United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force as an A-1E Skyraider Pilot in the 602d Special Operations Squadron, Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in action in Southeast Asia on 2 June 1968. On that date, Major Campbell led a successful search and rescue effort for a downed Navy pilot near the Ho Chi Minh Trail. After his aircraft had been hit by ground fire, he remained in the area for an hour directing aircraft strikes. He voluntarily risked his life on repeated passes to protect the rescue helicopter and suppress hostile gun positions. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness, Major Campbell reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorBatallion:
602d Special Operations SquadronDivision:
Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand,Action Date:
March 11, 1968
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Major Thomas A. Campbell (AFSN: 0-3005518), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an A-1 Skyraider Pilot in Southeast Asia on 11 March 1968. On that date, Major Campbell participated in relieving pressure on an embattled friendly outpost and effecting the rescue of one hundred twenty-eight survivors in the face of heavy ground fire. With complete disregard for his own safety, Major Campbell delivered his ordnance with outstanding accuracy to avoid injury to friendly forces some one hundred meters away and thereby cleared the way for rescue helicopters to land and begin the evacuation. Later the same day, Major Campbell returned to the scene and assisted in the completion of the evacuation. Major Campbell spent eight flying hours on that date in support of these survivors who would certainly have been killed or captured. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Major Campbell reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorBatallion:
602d Special Operations SquadronDivision:
Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand,Action Date:
November 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 Thomas A. Campbell (AFSN: 0-3005518), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as an A-1E Skyraider Pilot in the 602d Special Operations Squadron, Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in action in Southeast Asia on 9 November 1968. On that date, Major Campbell flew as the On-Scene-Commander in a successful rescue effort for the pilot of an F-4 aircraft downed by intense hostile anti-aircraft fire in one of the most heavily defended areas of Southeast Asia. The survivor landed within five hundred meters of a large military complex with numerous anti-aircraft gun emplacements. Major Campbell received overwhelming ground fire as he located the survivor on a low altitude pass through the area. Major Campbell then voluntarily risked his life by directly attacking two superior gun emplacements that threatened the rescue attempt. Additional jet fighters were diverted to the scene and were courageously directed by Major Campbell in strikes against the opposing guns. Hostile patrols were within one hundred meters of the survivor when Major Campbell returned to the survivor’s location and delivered a devastating attack which sent the potential captors fleeing from the area. He had fought for over an hour in this extremely dangerous environment before he summoned the rescue helicopters for the pickup. Major Campbell’s selfless dedication to saving the life of a fellow airman, and his conspicuous heroism in repeatedly exposing himself to intense ground and anti-aircraft fire effected the enabled rescue. 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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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorBatallion:
602d Special Operations SquadronDivision:
Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand,Action Date:
February 28, 1968
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Major Thomas A. Campbell (AFSN: 0-3005518), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an A-1E Pilot in Southeast Asia on 28 February 1968. On that date, Major Campbell participated in the successful rescue of a downed pilot. Major Campbell purposely exposed himself as a decoy to draw hostile fire away from the rescue helicopters until the successful recovery was made. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Major Campbell reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.