McCampbell Oral History Is Available
The following is an excerpt from the just-released Naval Institute Oral History of the late Captain David McCampbell, U.S. Navy (Retired), who here describes being awarded the Medal of Honor on 10 January 1945. The Navy’s top fighter ace sat for a series of interviews with the Naval Institute’s Paul Stillwell in July 1987.
I was called to Washington in January 1945 and told I was to receive the Medal of Honor. The Navy had arranged to bring my mother and sister from California by train—my father had fallen, injuring his face, and didn’t get to make the ceremony. We were ushered in to meet President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who looked ill—his eyes were sunken and had black rings. I remember this was quite an exciting moment, and the President said to me, “Well, Dave, aren’t you going to introduce your mother and sister to me?” Then he said a few words to my mother, gave her the medal, and she snapped it on me, on a ribbon. Later, in the anteroom, I met Admiral Ernest King, General George Marshall, and General Hap Arnold. I got to talk to each one individually—it was quite a thrill.
A much longer excerpt from the oral history of Captain McCampbell’s wartime service is featured in the February 2011 issue of Naval History. For information on how to purchase a copy of the nearly 400-page transcript in hardbound, softcover, or CD version, contact Member Services at (800) 233-8764 or at [email protected].
Naval Institute oral histories are made possible solely through charitable gifts to its Foundation. Opportunities abound to underwrite worthy history projects and to provide much-needed general program support. Tax-deductible gifts can be mailed to the Naval Institute Foundation, 291 Wood Road, Annapolis, MD 21402, or made online at the Institute’s Web site: www.usni.org (click on “Donate”). For more information, please contact Sue Sweeney at (410) 295-1054 or at [email protected].
Observing Naval Aviation’s Centennial
Throughout 2011 the Naval Institute will commemorate the 100th Anniversary of Naval Aviation with an evolving presentation at a special Web page: www.usni.org/naval aviation/the-early-years.
Each month will highlight a decade of naval aviation, including three months focused on World War II and one month on space exploration. The Web page will include archival articles from Proceedings and Naval History magazines, vignettes from the Institute’s Americans at War video series, and naval aviation movies. Additionally, the Naval Institute hopes to complete the oral histories of several naval aviation greats, including Rear Admiral Edward “Whitey” Feightner, U.S. Navy (Retired) and Vice Admiral William Lawrence, U.S. Navy (Retired).
This history of naval aviation is being documented in large part by the Naval Institute’s Heritage Collection: photographs, magazines, and books spanning 130 years. The extraordinary archive, containing more than 450,000 photographs, constitutes a national treasure. The Naval Institute maintains the archive through photo sales and gift income. By contributing to the Institute, you are contributing to the nation’s heritage. Your donation matters.
Matching Gifts Enhance Your Support
Employer gift-matching is a simple and effective way to boost your support of the Naval Institute. A number of companies match or even double the tax-deductible gifts made by staff, board members, and retirees, adding the weight of their charitable dollars to the interests of their employees and associates.
In recent months, the Naval Institute Foundation has received gift matches from:
Aetna
APS Financial
Bank of America
Chevron
FMC
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Pfizer
Portland General Electric
Prudential
Schneider Electric