David McCampbell: Top Ace of U.S. Naval Aviation in World War II

by David Lee Russell

Overview

David McCampbell was the leader of the most successful naval air group in combat in World War II. An unequalled naval aviator, McCampbell shot down a total of 34 Japanese aircraft across numerous battles. Eventually awarded the Medal of Honor, he first served in the Atlantic as a carrier Landing Safety Officer, then as an air group leader in the Pacific theater.

McCampbell's 31-year career reveals an astounding diversity of leadership roles and service assignments. McCampbell commanded ships, training centers and aircraft squadrons and held a variety of Navy and Defense Department senior staff positions.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781476677798
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers
Publication date:	06/27/2019
Pages:	273
Sales rank:	631,392
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.55(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

David Lee Russell is a retired Naval Air Intelligence Officer, and former IT director. He is also the author of three books on the American Revolution, a book on the history of Eastern Airlines, and two intelligence thriller books. He lives in Canton, Georgia.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
Introduction
 1. Birth of a Hero
 2. Bessemer to Annapolis
 3. Going Navy: From Ships to Aviation
 4. VF-4 and the Ranger
 5. LSO on the Wasp
 6. Training Carrier Air Group 15
 7. Marcus and Wake Islands Raids
 8. Marianas Operation Forager Begins
 9. Iwo Jima
10. The Great Marianas Turkey Shoot
11. Ozawa’s Retreat and Protecting Saipan
12. Saipan Operations and Softening Up Guam
13. Supporting Landings on Guam and Tinian
14. Stalemate II: Palau, Southern Philippines
15. Stalemate II: Visayas, Manila Strikes and Second Visayas
16. Okinawa Jima, Nansei Shoto
17. Battle of Formosa
18. Battle of Leyte Gulf
19. Last CAG-15 Strikes
20. Post-War Naval Career
Appendix A: Aerial Victories
Appendix B: Aces of the Navy Fighting Squadron Fifteen (VF-15), December 1, 1944
Appendix C: Medal of Honor Citation of Commander David McCampbell
Chapter Notes
Bibliography
Index