William "Bill/Soup" Campbell Oral History Interview

IdentifierNHF_WC_2014_Campbell_William

DateJune 17 2014

Description William “Bill” Campbell graduated from the Naval Academy in 1944. Shortly after graduation, Campbell was placed on the destroyer USS Melvin, which was headed for the Philippians. Campbell recounts sinking a Japanese destroyer in Surigao Straits, spending Christmas Eve anchored in Iron Bottom Bay, and being attacked by the Japanese in Lingayen Gulf. While escorting the USS Saratoga, Campbell’s transport was attacked by kamikazes, which damaged the USS Saratoga. Following the end of the war, Campbell covered the Occupation of Japan before returning to the United States. Once back in the United States, Campbell taught engineering at submarine school and became the executive officer of a new submarine before an injury resulting from an eighteen-foot fall off a ladder forced him to leave the navy.

Material TypeDigital

Duration1h 10m 47s

Preferred CitationWilliam "Bill/Soup" Campbell, Interview, National Home Front Project, Washington College, Chestertown Maryland.

ProvenanceInterview was recorded by Shane Benz and Rachel Brown through Washington College for the Starr Center of the American Experience National Homefront Project.

GeonamesChestertown, Kent, Maryland, United States, NA [39.209,-76.06661] [id:4351264]Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, NA [39.95238,-75.16362] [id:4560349]St Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, United States, NA [38.62727,-90.19789] [id:4407066]Media, Delaware, Pennsylvania, United States, NA [39.91678,-75.38769] [id:4559575]United States Naval Academy, Anne Arundel, Maryland, United States, NA [38.98159,-76.48323] [id:4372114]