![]() ![]() ![]() Naval Institute interview, McCampbell explained how he nearly didn't make it back to his ship after that engagement. Their successes completely threw off the Japanese air group the remaining aircraft abandoned their mission before any of them reached the U.S. ![]() Rushing took out another six enemy warplanes. Despite the overwhelming airpower against them, McCampbell shot down nine Japanese aircraft, setting a U.S. 24, 1944, during the infamous Battle of Leyte Gulf, McCampbell and a fellow pilot, Ensign Roy Rushing, took on 60 hostile Japanese aircraft that were approaching U.S. According to the Encyclopedia of Alabama, McCampbell's team accounted for about 68 of the 600 Japanese downed aircraft. McCampbell personally destroyed seven of those hostile aircraft - five bombers and two fighters - which helped his outnumbered men virtually annihilate the enemy. About a week later, during the First Battle of the Philippine Sea, he led several F6F Hellcat fighter aircraft against 80 Japanese carrier-based planes that were headed toward the U.S. McCampbell took out his first Japanese aircraft on June 11, 1944. His first few years as an aviator were spent serving on the USS Ranger and the USS Wasp. By May 1937, he'd worked his way up in the ranks and began flight school in Pensacola, Florida, earning his wings in April 1938. The young ensign's first duty station was aboard the USS Portland. He returned to Alabama to work in construction and at an aircraft assembly plant for a year before finally receiving orders in June 1934 to report for active duty. McCampbell graduated in June of 1933, but since Great Depression-related economic issues had affected the number of commissions that were available, he immediately went into the Naval Reserve. While in Annapolis, McCampbell became an accomplished swimmer and diver, competing in and winning various NCAA regional championships. He also joined Navy ROTC, which led to his appointment to the Naval Academy. ![]() Instead, he chose to attend the Georgia Institute of Technology, where he played football and was on the swim team. His graduation in 1928 earned him an Army commission, according to the Army University Press. As a teen, McCampbell moved north to attend the Staunton Military Academy in Virginia. ![]()
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