The 321stBG, 448thBS, LOST 2 entire Ships and Crew, the 1st LOSS for the Squadron, and both on the same Mission. Sea-Sweep)

**John Campbell was born on the Fourth of July, 1917, in Hightstown, New Jersey. The son of a carpet weaver who never finished high school, he attended the Peddie School in his home town and entered Dickinson on September 16, 1937 as a member of the class of 1941. While at the College, he participated in soccer, baseball, and basketball. Nicknamed "Soupy," he was also very active in campus organizations, including the Student Senate, the Athletic Association, Microcosm, and Omicron Delta Kappa. He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, serving as treasurer and president, and of Raven's Claw.

Shortly after graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps and after being accepted as a flying cadet was commissioned in the fall of 1942. He was assigned to North Africa following the landings there and was posted as missing on March 31, 1943 when a flight he was on did not return. He was later declared as killed in action.**
Campbell, John Farr, 1Lt., Pilot, Enlistment Service # : 32167196 Officer’s Service # : O-792218 KILLED IN ACTION on 31 March 1943 On Sea Sweep Bombing Mission Off of Northeastern Tunisia. On 31 March 1943 during a low element sea sweep the first battle casualties of the squadron occurred. 1st Lts. Hess, McKinney; 2nd Lts: Campbell, Welton; S/Sgts: Cookman, Hines, Kirol, McGinnis, McMurray, Ratajczyk, Rodgers, Headings and Lottes were shot down into the Mediterranean Sea by enemy fighters. The mission however did succeed in sinking two enemy ships.

NOTE: TWO PLANES AND CREWS WERE LOST. A/C No. 41-13205 (MACR-14578 - “Lost at Sea Aircraft was lost to enemy aircraft and anti-aircraft”) P-

McKinney, Charles A., 1Lt - KIA

CP-
Campbell, John F., 2Lt - KIA
N-
None
B-
Kirol, Edward A., S/Sgt - KIA
E-
Ratajczyk, Thomas S., S/Sgt - KIA
R-
Headings, Boyd V., S/Sgt - KIA
G-
McGinnis, Lofton F., S/Sgt - KIA
F-

Lottes, Richard O., Sgt (ASV) - KIA

and……………………………………
A/C No. 41-13209 “Trouble” (MACR-14579 “Lost at Sea"). Aircraft was lost to enemy aircraft and anti-aircraft”) P-
Hess, Robert G., 1Lt - KIA
CP-
Welton, Mert J., 2Lt - KIA
N-
None
B-
McMurray, Walter J., S/Sgt - KIA
E-
Rodgers, Herbert E., S/Sgt - KIA
R-
Cookman, Harold F., S/Sgt - KIA
G-

Hines, Ralph V., S/Sgt - KIA

Source Citation: Year: 1930; Census Place: East Windsor, Mercer, New Jersey; Roll 1361; Page: 2B; Enumeration District: 72; Image: 743.0. Household Members: Name Age Clarence Campbell 39 Margaret F Campbell 34/Wife John F Campbell 12/Son Robert A Campbell 5/Son

Barbi Ennis Connolly, 321stBG Historian PRINCESSBARBIB25@msn.com_