Lieutenant Colonel Campbell was a veteran of World War II. In Korea, he was a member of the 8668th Army Unit, Korean Military Assistance Group (KMAG). He was taken Prisoner of War while advising the South Koreans in North Korea on 27 November 1950 and died while a prisoner on 30 April 1951.

For his leadership and valor, Lieutenant Colonel Campbell was awarded the Legion of Merit, 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, the Republic of Korea War Service Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.