Francis Campeau was born on May 28, 1945, to Frank and Mary Campeau. His home of record is Bergenfield, NJ. He had one sister, Lori, and one brother, Don. He graduated from Bergenfield High School in 1963. Campeau loved to swim. He taught swimming for the local Police Athletic League and the YMCA in Hackensack.

Campeau entered the US Navy where he attained the rank of Aviation Electronic Mate Third Class (AE3).

Francis Campeau was among the 134 USS Forrestal (CVA 59) crewmembers and Carrier Air Wing Seventeen squadron personnel to be killed in the tragic fire aboard the USS Forrestal, 60 miles off the coast of North Vietnam on Yankee Station in the Gulf of Tonkin, South China Sea.

Campeau is listed as killed in action on July 29, 1967 when the ship he was on in the Gulf of Tonkin experienced an explosion. Campeau perished in the blaze.

The town of Bergenfield has named Campeau Place in his honor. He is buried in Long Island National Cemetery.

Sources: Mary Campeau (mother), Clay Marston (researcher) and NJVVMF.
12/17/2024