In January 2014, I began researching the Campbell to learn about my father’s experience during the war. From 2014-2018, I’ve met some very interesting people who wanted to help preserve the Campbell’s legacy. I also discovered alot about World War II from the materials in the Navy archives, resources, which are freely available to the public today.
I composed an article “My Father and the USS Kendall C. Campbell,” which was published in the Slater museum’s newsletter in 2015.
I would first like to thank my mother, Mary M. Barton Zuccarini (1922-2017), for sharing her memories as a Navy wife during the War. I liked her story about taking a 6-hour bus ride from Philadelphia, PA to Hampton, VA with a group of women. Their mission was to roll bandages at the Chamberlin Hotel. This is now a luxury retirement home on the Chesapeake Bay area where I live.
My sister, Mimi Barton, for locating my father’s service file amongst boxes of photos in her home. She also located my father’s ribbons and bronze stars. These had been tucked away for seven decades.
Len Nowak, sonar operator on the CAMPBELL. I appreciate his letting me find him and his wife Anita Nowak via email. He scanned his scrapbook photos so I could include them on this site. He also told me about his life aboard the Campbell and clarified architectural features of the ship when my husband was building his 1/96 scale model. Anita shared photos and information about the Campbell crew reunions.
My husband, Gene Berger, for spending six months building a historically accurate ship model of the Campbell and taking it out to model shows and educational events.
The research staff at the National Archives Records Administration for their willingness to answer all of our questions and pull original documents for us to handle, read, scan, save, and copy.
Tim Rizutto, Executive Director of the USS Slater Museum, who accepted my article for publication in his quarterly newsletter. Tim also educated us on the Slater’s engine room when we visited the museum in May 2016.
Alan Fox, who gave us a splendid tour of the USS Slater Museum ship.
Our good friends, Bob and Jan Moritz, for their interest in my article about the Campbell and taking the train to Albany with us to see the USS Slater Museum.
Carmen Trimarchi, who served on the Campbell with my father and Len Nowak. He shared his personal account of the war with me.
Katie Burke, daughter of Dick Warner, collaborated with her family members and allowed me to use photos and information about their father.
Phil Jordan, who served on the Campbell, and told me stories about his life.
Tom Alexander, who served aboard the USS McGinty DE-365 during the Korean War. He is a friend of Phil Jordan’s through the DE Association and helped Phil by sending me information via email and the postal service.
Jane Breshears, daughter of Phil Jordan, who scanned her photos and documents for me to use on this website.
Family member (did not wish to be identified) of a sailor onboard the Campbell who contributed anecdotes about recreational activities during the war.
Campbell steward (did not wish to be identified) who served the officers and worked in the kitchen for his routine duties but then manned one of the guns during general quarters. He gave me his perspective on being on the Campbell.
Time-Life book series, The Road to Tokyo, sections entitled “A Gob’s Paradise on Mog Mog,” “Playground in the Pacifc,” and “Rank and Privilege.” Published in 1979.