Time to Force Virginia Congressman Don Beyer, and Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine to Do the Right Thing and Recognize Arlington Virginia's Own Specialist Keith Campbell, Recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross, by Naming a Post Office After Him!

Seeing Gold Star parent Khizr Khan speaking at the Democratic National Convention on 18 August 2020 reminded me of an issue I've been championing for years but has fallen on the deaf ears of Rep Don Beyer along with Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine. That is recognition for Specialist Keith Campbell, an Arlington resident that was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the Nation’s second highest award for Valor next to the Medal of Honor.

Beyer, Warner and Kaine all sponsored a bill naming a post office after Khizr Khan's son, Captain Humayun Khan, a soldier who received NO awards for Valor and was a resident of Maryland when he was killed, while Beyer's own VA-8th constituent decorated posthumously with the Distinguished Service Cross has received NO recognition anywhere in the Congressman's district or even the State of Virginia. Specialist Keith Campbell was decorated for his heroic action in Vietnam as a Combat Medic. A suitable memorial would be to name the Arlington Post Office in Clarendon at 3118 Washington Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201 in his honor.

On several occasions I have asked Congressman Beyer (and Warner & Kaine) to take the time to honor this real hero who also happened to live in his district and actually graduated from Washington-Lee High School but have gotten nowhere. I guess having your father speak at Democratic National Conventions trumps actual heroism in Combat in the eyes of Beyer, Warner and Kaine.

I hope ALL Virginians will help me get the recognition SPC Campbell so richly deserves by contacting Beyer, Warner & Kaine demanding action at:

Rep Don Beyer - https://beyer.house.gov/contact/

Sen Warner - www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=Contact

Sen Kaine - www.kaine.senate.gov/contact                                    

HEADQUARTERS
UNITED STATES ARMY, PACIFIC
APO San Francisco 96558

GENERAL ORDERS

AWARD OF THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS

1. TC 320. The Distinguished Service Cross is AWARDED posthumously to:

KEITH A. CAMPBELL, Specialist Four (E4), United States Army,
Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion (Airborne),
503d Infantry, 173d Airborne Brigade (Separate).

	Awarded:  Distinguished Service Cross
	Date Action: 8 February 1967
	Theater:  Republic of Vietnam
	Reason:  For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam: Specialist Four Campbell distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 8 February 1967 while serving with elements of the 503d Infantry assaulting a Viet Cong bunker complex. During the initial engagement, the lead company had suffered numerous casualties, including the medical personnel. Specialist Campbell volunteered to assist in treating the wounded, and dauntlessly moved up to the front line. Exposing himself to the intense hostile fire, he began to administer aid to the wounded soldiers. Discovering that one casualty lay fifty meters in front of the friendly lines and next to an insurgent bunker, Specialist Campbell called for covering fire as he maneuvered forward. Disregarding the extreme dangers, he fearlessly ran through a hail of bullets and exploding grenades, but was forced to take cover behind a low mound of dirt. From this position, he killed a Viet Cong sniper who was firing on him from a tree. Undeterred from his mission, Specialist Campbell then crawled the last twenty meters to the stricken man. Dragging the soldier to the cover of a nearby tree, he started to administer first aid. As he fearlessly protected the man from further hostile fire, Specialist Campbell was mortally wounded. His unimpeachable valor and selfless sacrifice against insurmountable odds succeeded in saving a fellow soldier's life. Specialist Four Campbell's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
	Authority:  By direction of the President under the provisions of the Act of Congress, approved 9 July 1918.

FOR THE COMMANDER:

Chief of Staff

OFFICIAL:

Adjutant General