Rear Adm. Norman Dean Campbell was born in Chicora, Penn. on Dec. 14, 1933. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in education from Slippery Rock University, Penn. in 1955.
He enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve and reported for active duty on Sept. 7, 1956.
He was honorably discharged on Jan. 31, 1957 and became an ensign in the reserves. On August 1, 1958 he was promoted to lieutenant (junior grade) and reported for duty at Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Fla. He attended post graduate school at Duquesne University in 1959.
In January, 1960, he was stationed at Naval Air Station, Corpus Christi, Texas. He was designated a naval aviator on July 20, 1960 and then stationed with attack Squadron 42 until December, 1960. He was stationed with Attack Squadron 176 from December, 1960 until September, 1964. While here, he made lieutenant and was augmented in the U. S. Navy.
He next went to Harvard University working with the Navy Recruit Officer Training Command (NROTC).
In September, 1965, Rear Adm. Campbell was at the office of information, Navy Department, Washington, D.C. working as an aviation assistant for special events. He was promoted to lieutenant commander at this billet.
His next assignment was with Attack Squadron 125 from December, 1966 to June, 1967. He served as the aircraft maintenance officer for Attack Squadron 192 until June, 1969 and then the operations officer of Attack Carrier Air Wing 19 from June, 1969 until February, 1970.
He was executive officer of Attack Squadron 122 until April, 1972 and was promoted to commander on October, 1970. He commanded Attack Squadron 195 from April 1972 until June, 1974.
Rear Adm. Campbell graduated from the National War College in June, 1975. He became commander, Carrier Air Wing Reserve 30 until May 1977 and then joined the staff of Naval Material Command as head, Aircraft Logistics Support Branch and Readiness Branch. On July 1, 1978, he became a captain in the Navy.
In May, 1979, he was chief of staff for commander, Destroyer Group Five and then took command of Naval Air Station Alameda, Calif.
From November, 1982 until January, 1983, he was stationed at Naval Station, Treasure Island, Calif. and then at the Defense Intelligence Agency until June, 1983.
He served as a Naval Attache in London from June, 1983 until October, 1984 prior to reporting to NTC as center commander. He was designated a rear admiral (lower half) in August, 1984 and officially promoted to rear admiral (lower half) on Aug.1, 1985.
Following his tour at NTC, he was commander, Light Attack Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet from August, 1985 until March, 1987. His next assignment was temporary duty with commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific fleet as a special assistant. In July, 1987, he was at the Defense Language Institute, Presidio School, Monterey, Calif. He studied there until May, 1988.
Following that assignment, he went to Capstone, Institute of Higher Defense Studies, Ft. Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C. until June, 1988. The next twelve months, he was attached to the Defense Intelligence Agency and then became a Defense Attache in Paris, France until 1989.
His many awards include the Legion of Merit; the Distinguished Flying Cross with one silver Star and one gold Star in lieu of subsequent awards; the Meritorious Service Medal with one gold star in lieu of a second award; the Air Medal with Bronze Numeral 43 and gold ‘7”; a Navy Commendation Medal with Combat ‘V’ and four gold stars in lieu of subsequent awards; a Navy Unit Commendation; a Meritorious Unit Commendation with one bronze star in lieu of a second award; a Navy Expeditionary Medal (Cuba); the American Expeditionary Medal with two bronze stars in lieu of subsequent awards; the National Defense Service Medal; the Vietnam Service Medal with two silver stars; a Humanitarian Service Medal; the Navy Overseas Service Ribbon; the Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross Color); and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
