Private First Class Campbell was a member of the 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division. He was Killed in Action while crossing the Chongchon River, North Korea on 26 November 1950. He was the first to enter the water and kept firing until his comrades made it to the far shore. Then he was mortally wounded.

For his leadership and valor, Private First Class Campbell was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.