Grafton Blair Campbell

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Grafton Blair Campbell, Commander [then Lieutenant Commander], U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber and as Commanding Officer of Bombing Squadron TWO (VB-2), embarked from the U.S.S. HORNET (CV-12), during action against major units of the Japanese Fleet in the First Battle of the Philippine Sea, on 20 June 1944. Flying at extreme range of his plane and fully aware that continued operations might necessitate a night water landing, Commander Campbell carried out an attack and, despite intense anti-aircraft fire and strong fighter opposition, scored a direct hit to leave a large hostile aircraft carrier burning and sinking, thereby contributing to the success of the mission. By his skill as an airman and devotion to duty, Commander Campbell upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Commander, Fast Carrier Task Force, Pacific: Serial 0438 (August 20, 1944)