COMMISSIONED – GRADUATED FROM ELLINGTON FIELD
Wendell M. Campbell, who was graduated from the army air field at Ellington field, Tex., Saturday as a second lieutenant and awarded his wings, arrived Thursday evening to spent a short leave with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. C. R. Campbell, Route 1.
Lt. Campbell received pre-flight training in the air forces at San Antonio, Tex., and basic training at Perrin field in Texas.
His brother, Sgt. Kenneth W. Campbell is now on active duty in the southwest Pacific area.
Mrs. Eurel H. Anderson of Cheyenne, Wyo., Lt. Campbell’s sister, arrived this week to meet her brother here.
Source: The Council Bluffs Nonpareil, Council Bluffs, Friday, April 21, 1944, Page 6 (photo included)
Bluffs Man Killed as B-24s Crash
Second Lt. Wendell M. Campbell, 22, of Council Bluffs was one of 10 men killed while seven parachuted to safety when two B-24 bombers collided in flight Thursday near Roswell, N. M., air corps officials announced Friday. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Campbell, Route No. 1.
The men were on a routine combat training flight.
Lt. Campbell graduated from Treynor, Ia., High school, enlisted in January, 1943, was a co-pilot stationed at Biggs Field, El Paso, Tex. He was graduated from the army air field at Ellington field, Tex., in April at which time he was commissioned a second lieutenant and awarded his wings.
He received his pre-flight training in the air force at San Antonio, Tex., and basic training at Perrin field.
Other survivors are brothers, T. Sgt. Kenneth, New Guinea; Delman, at home; sisters, Mrs. Jane Anderson, Wyoming, and Darlene, at home.
Funeral arrangements are pending the arrival of the body.
Source: The Council Bluffs Nonpareil, Council Bluffs, Friday, July 21, 1944, Page 5 (photo included)
Campbell Rites on Wednesday
Memorial services for 2nd Lt. Wendell C. Campbell, son of Mr. and Mrs. C. R. Campbell, route 1, Council Bluffs, killed Thursday in a bomber crash in Texas, will be held Wednesday.
Short services will be held at 1:15 p.m. at the Campbell farm home eight miles southeast of Council Bluffs on the Pioneer Trail and at 2 p.m. at the Congregational church at Treynor with the Rev. J. A. Frieboes officiating. Rainbow post No. 2, American Legion, will be in charge of the services at the grave. Burial will be in the Treynor Cemetery.
The body of Lt. Campbell is scheduled to arrive in Council Bluffs at 2:08 p.m. Monday and was to be taken to the Tyler funeral home.
The heavy bomber crashed while on a routine combat training flight from Biggs field, El Paso, Tex., according to the information received here.
Source: The Council Bluffs Nonpareil, Council Bluffs, Monday, July 24, 1944, Page 6
NOTE: 2nd Lt. Wendell M. Campbell was born January 29, 1922, and died July 10, 1944. He was interred at Zion Congregational Cemetery, Treynor, Iowa. ~findagrave.com
