William Thomas Campbell

William Cambell – known universally as “Tom” – was a mechanically-minded youth who badly wanted to fly. He and his brother George traveled to Canada to enlist in the RCAF and train as radio operators. Tom resigned from the RCAF in May 1942 and enlisted in the Marine Corps; his skills led to a rapid advancement from private to Staff Sergeant. He was  assigned to VMSB-141, and arrived at Henderson Field, Guadalcanal on 30 September 1942. Now a member of the “Cactus Air Force,” Campbell was soon flying scouting missions with Technical Sergeant Joseph D. Cook at the controls.

On 9 October 1942, Cook and Campbell took off for an early-morning strike against Japanese warships known to be operating in the New Georgia area. At 0655, the Americans spotted their targets through the morning haze and pushed over into a dive. The Japanese ships reacted quickly, turning in tight circles and throwing up heavy, accurate gunfire. Nine bombers dropped seven bombs, scoring several near misses and a few “probable” hits.

Witnesses reported seeing one SBD hit in the attack; the bomber managed to release its missile, which may have struck a cruiser. The Dauntless (SBD-3 #03257) failed to return to Henderson Field, and the crew – Sergeants Cook and Campbell – were listed as missing in action. Nothing more was ever heard of plane or crew, and they were ultimately declared dead on 19 February 1945.