Commander, Order of the British Empire - Assistant Chief of the Air Staff, AFHQ - Award effective 1 January 1945 as per London Gazette of that date, Canada Gazette dated 6 January 1945 and AFRO 89/45 dated 19 January 1945. COTC Cadet, 4 June 1938; awarded wings, 27 August 1930; awarded Queens Coronation Medal, 23 October 1953 while Air Vice Marshal and AOC No.1 Air Division; later Chief of the Air Staff; retired 14 September 1962. Award presented 27 June 1945. Died in Ottawa, 25 May 1987.
This officer of the Royal Canadian Air Force (Regular) was attached to the Training Division of Royal Canadian Air Force Headquarters in the early years of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. In the discharge of his duties he exhibited an outstanding grasp of service requirements and organizing ability much beyond the average of his rank. Subsequently he commanded a training unit in Western Canada with equal distinction, after which he proceeded to Royal Canadian Air Force Headquarters Overseas where his work was highly commended. Since then he has been employed as Assistant Chief of the Air Staff and, once again, his outstanding organizing ability has been amply demonstrated. Apart from these qualities, however, this officer possesses a fine service spirit. His capacity for hard work and his example to the service is outstanding and beyond the ordinary calls of duty. By his outstanding devotion to duty and his exceptional ability he has rendered highly meritorious service to the Royal Canadian Air Force.
Order of the White Lion, Class III (Czechoslovakia) - Award effective 5 October 1946 as per Canada Gazette of that date and AFRO 991/46 dated 18 October 1946.
AFHQ - War Cross, 1939 (Czechoslovakia) - awarded November 2nd, 1946 as per Canada Gazette of that dated and AFRO 1075/46 dated November 15th, 1946.
AFHQ - United States Legion of Merit (Degree of Commander) - awarded 22 November 1946 as per Canada Gazette dated November 23rd, 1946 and AFRO 1083/46 dated November 22nd, 1946; although not officially reported in American publications until War Department General Order No.14 dated 30 January 1947. Colonel R.E.S. Williamson, Military Attache in Ottawa, writing to AFHQ, 30 October 1946, provided citation:
Air Vice Marshal Hugh Lester Campbell, Royal Canadian Air Force, performed exceptionally meritorious service to the Government of the United States from December 1943 to August 1945. Serving in the capacities of Assistant Chief of Air Staff and Air Member for Personnel at Royal Canadian Air Force Headquarters in Ottawa, Air Vice Marshal Campbell was untiring in his efforts and in every way went beyond the call of ordinary duty to further and maintain liaison and cooperation with the United States Armed Forces, and to strengthen the ties of friendship and mutual understanding between Canada and the United States in the prosecution of the war.
Updated: January 3, 2004