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Technical Sergeant Robert Kenneth Campbell, Sr.

A young couple in a formal picture.
  • Unit: 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Air Group 31, Headquarters Squadron 31
  • Date of Birth: November 3, 1922
  • Entered the Military: September 16, 1942
  • Date of Death: March 3, 2006
  • Hometown: Richmond, Virginia
  • Place of Death: Richmond, Virginia
  • Cemetery: Section CB1, Row E, Site 68. Virginia Veterans Cemetery, Amelia Court House, Virginia
Contributed by Julia Prior
Mentored by Ms. Nicole Winter
Cosby High School
2025/2026

Early Life

Robert Kenneth Campbell, Sr., known as Kenneth, was born on November 3, 1922, in Lunenburg, Virginia, to John and Era Campbell. He was the oldest of four children. He had two brothers, Richard and Garland, and a sister, Wanda. 

Although he was born in Virginia, his family lived in Florence, South Carolina, in the 1930s and returned to Virginia before he enrolled in high school. Campbell attended Manchester High School in Midlothian, Virginia, as a member of the class of 1942. In school, he was well-liked by his classmates and was voted Most Handsome and Most Original in 1941. He was also art editor for the school’s yearbook, The Memoir.

Campbell enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps after graduating in 1942. At the time of his enlistment, he worked as a clerk at Kingan and Co., a meat-packing company in Richmond, Virginia. 

Robert Campbell in his high school yearbook, 1941. Courtesy of Manchester High School.
Manchester High School, Robert Campbell’s alma mater, in 1941. Courtesy of Manchester High School.
A rendering of the Kingan and Company meat packing plant in Richmond, Virginia, c.1903. Robert Campbell worked for Kingan and Co. before his enlistment in 1942. RVA Hub.

Homefront

Industry

As Virginia’s capital, Richmond served as an industrial hub for manufacturing and wartime activity. Richmond saw private companies shift to wartime production and military officials seeking supplies. For instance, the Richmond General Depot in Chesterfield, which was activated in 1942 by the Quartermaster Corps for the specific purpose of Army production, served as a key supplier of military materials. Additionally, private companies such as DuPont and the Larus and Brother Company redirected their production to the Army and to government organizations such as the Red Cross and the United Service Organizations (USO). 

Local Support

Local residents supported the war effort in many different ways. Not only did Richmonders participate in more traditional homefront activities like victory gardens and rationing, but war drives sponsored by major companies also encouraged residents to contribute to the war effort. For example, Thalheimer’s department store often sponsored local copper plate drives. Additionally, Richmond organizations, such as the Graduate Nurses Association, led programs to ensure that nursing organizations, such as the Red Cross, were properly supplied and effective in their service. 

Population Shifts

Because Richmond was an urban hub and a common location for government defense agencies, many migrated there in search of work, particularly for factory and training jobs. This caused a population shift to the city, both from rural areas and from outside the state entirely. 

Effects on Employment

World War II in Richmond brought many changes to employment, particularly for women. Private companies’ shift to wartime production opened the door for women to serve in factory jobs that had previously not been available to them. Additionally, many women in Richmond chose to join military organizations such as the Women’s Auxiliary Corps (WAC), the Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES), and various nursing corps. Volunteer agencies like the USO also encouraged female involvement in the war effort at home.

A railroad track at the Richmond General Depot, a key supplier to the Army during World War II. Defense Logistics Agency.
An advertisement for a copper plate drive sponsored by Thalheimers, a popular department store in Richmond. Richmond News Leader, September 23, 1942, Library of Virginia.
A view of Richmond, Virginia’s financial district. Richmond Times-Dispatch, November 27, 1949.

Military Experience

Campbell enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps on September 16, 1942. He completed his training in Parris Island, South Carolina, with the 7th and 10th Recruitment Battalions. 

By April 1943, Campbell transferred to Headquarters Squadron 31 of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and was stationed in Cherry Point, North Carolina. The 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing primarily focused on providing air support to the Pacific. Campbell worked in the Supply and Material Section, meaning he was responsible for logistical support of his squadron’s operations. By the end of his military career, he was promoted to a technical sergeant.

Robert Campbell’s draft registration card, 1942. Portions have been redacted for privacy reasons. National Archives and Records Administration. 
The seal of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing in 1942. This would have been displayed on the uniforms of members of Robert Campbell’s squadron. Seaforces.
Aircraft Hangar No. 1 at the Marine Corps Air Station in Cherry Point, North Carolina, where the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing was stationed, 1944. NCGen Web Project.

Veteran Experience

After leaving the U.S. Marine Corps, Campbell enrolled in the Richmond Professional Institute of the College of William and Mary (now Virginia Commonwealth University). He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in 1939. 

Campbell married Lois Gronlund in 1945. They were married for 60 years and had two children, Deborah and Robert Jr. 

Career

Campbell pursued several occupations after World War II. His biggest passion, however, lay in the motorsports industry. He served as vice president of public relations at Richmond International Raceway and was a prominent figure in the development of the motorsports industry in Richmond. Not only did he spearhead the introduction of advertisements on NASCAR vehicles, but he also worked for CBS to promote NASCAR races. In addition to his work in auto racing, he served as a regional roller derby promoter, owned a real estate brokerage, and dealt in antiques with his wife. 

Volunteer work

Campbell served as president of the Chesterfield Kiwanis Club, a volunteer organization that aids children in need. He also volunteered for the Richmond Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Robert “Kenneth” Campbell, Sr., with his wife, Lois Gronlund Campbell, in 1944. Find a Grave.
An article describing Robert Campbell’s career as a promoter. Richmond Times-Dispatch, April 8, 1973.
A photo of Robert Campbell in his later years. Find a Grave.

Commemoration

In November 2001, the media center of the Richmond International Raceway was named in his honor to commemorate his contributions to the auto racing industry in Richmond. 

Robert Kenneth Campbell passed away on March 24, 2006, in Richmond, Virginia. His memorial service was held at the raceway. He is buried at Virginia Veterans Cemetery in Amelia, Virginia. 

The media center at the Richmond International Raceway was named in Robert Campbell’s honor in November 2001. Courtesy of Nicole Winter.
Robert Campbell’s marker at Virginia Veterans Cemetery in Amelia, Virginia, March 11, 2026. Courtesy of Nicole Winter.

Bibliography

Primary Sources

“423,535 Pounds of Scrap Collected Here in Two Days.” Richmond News Leader [Richmond, Virginia], September 23, 1942. https://www.virginiachronicle.com/?a=d&d=RNL19420923.1.1&e=–1939—1945–en-20–1–txt-txlN——–Richmond+%28VA%29-. 

“Deadlines to Remember.” Richmond News Leader [Richmond, Virginia], April 2, 1943. https://virginiachronicle.com/?a=d&d=RNL19430402.1.6&srpos=2&e=–1939—1945–en-20–1–txt-txlN——–Richmond+%28VA%29-. 

Dorne, Albert. All Fuel is Scarce, Plan for Winter Now! Poster. 1945. Library of Virginia (1945-C-648956). https://rosetta.virginiamemory.com/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE1186283.  

I Fought for Virginia…Now It’s Your Turn! Join the Lee Navy Volunteers. Poster. 194?. Library of Virginia (Lab#08_0770_01). https://rosetta.virginiamemory.com/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE1187014. 

John Hardin Campbell. Arizona, U.S., Birth Registers, 1853-1911. Digital Images. https://ancestryclassroom.com. 

Manchester High School Yearbook. Chesterfield County Public Schools, 1941.

“Mayor Asks Speedy End of Bus Strike.” Richmond News Leader [Richmond, Virginia], October 21, 1942. https://www.virginiachronicle.com/?a=d&d=RNL19421021.1.12&e=–1939—1945–en-20–1–txt-txlN——–. 

“Nurses Plan War Program.” Richmond News Leader [Richmond, Virginia], September 23, 1942. https://www.virginiachronicle.com/?a=d&d=RNL19420923.1.8&e=–1939—1945–en-20–1–txt-txlN-Richmond+%28VA%29——–. 

“Plan your Victory Garden now, raise more food- and save it all!” Southern Planter [Richmond, Virginia], February 1, 1943. https://www.virginiachronicle.com/?a=d&d=SPT19430201.1.7&srpos=19&e=–1939—1945–en-20–1–txt-txlN-Richmond+%28VA%29——–. 

R Kenneth Campbell Sr. U.S., Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Volume 1. Digital Images. https://ancestryclassroom.com. 

Richard Hardin Campbell. Virginia, U.S., Death Records, 1912-2014. Digital Images. https://ancestryclassroom.com.

Robert K. Campbell. U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2020. https://ancestryclassroom.com. 

Robert K Campbell. U.S., Marine Corps Muster Rolls, 1798-1958. Digital Images. https://ancestryclassroom.com. 

Robert Kenneth Campbell. Virginia, U.S., Birth Records, 1912-2015. Digital Images. https://ancestryclassroom.com. 

Robert Kenneth Campbell. Virginia, U.S., Marriage Records, 1936-2014. Digital Images. https://ancestryclassroom.com. 

Robert Kenneth Campbell. World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947. Digital Images. http://ancestryclassroom.com. 

South Carolina. Florence County. 1930 U.S. Census. Digital Images. http://ancestryclassroom.com. 

Texas. Wichita County. 1910 U.S. Census. Digital Images. http://ancestryclassroom.com. 

“Theaters: Where-When.”Richmond News Leader [Richmond, Virginia], September 23, 1942. https://www.virginiachronicle.com/?a=d&d=RNL19420923.1.6&e=–1939—1945–en-20–1–txt-txlN-war——–Richmond+%28VA%29. 

Til We Meet Again: Buy War Bonds. Poster. 1942. Library of Virginia (1942-O-491739). https://rosetta.virginiamemory.com/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE1186855. 

“Trolley, Bus Service Here Limited by Strike of 100 Transit Operators.” Richmond News Leader [Richmond, Virginia], October 21, 1942. https://www.virginiachronicle.com/?a=d&d=RNL19421021.1.1&e=–1939—1945–en-20–1–txt-txlN——–. 

“Uncle Sam Needs Your Old Copper Plates.” Advertisement. Richmond News Leader [Richmond, Virginia], September 23, 1942. https://www.virginiachronicle.com/?a=d&d=RNL19420923.1.9&e=–1939–en-20–txt-txLN——–Richmond+%28VA%29-. 

Virginia. Chesterfield County. 1940 U.S. Census. Digital Images. http://ancestryclassroom.com. 

Secondary Sources

 “3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.” 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing News. Accessed February 24, 2026. https://www.3rdmaw.marines.mil/. 

“Aviation Logistics.” U.S. Marine Corps. Accessed February 24, 2026. https://marines.mil/Portals/1/MCWP%203-21.2.pdf. 

“Becoming Americans Again.” Virginia Museum of History & Culture. Accessed February 23, 2026. https://virginiahistory.org/sites/default/files/uploads/sov_americansagain.pdf. 

“Garland Edward Campbell.” Richmond Times-Dispatch [Richmond, Virginia], December 7, 2024. https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/timesdispatch/name/garland-campbell-obituary?id=56952821. 

Gregory, James. “Virginia Migration History 1850-2022.” America’s Great Migration Project, University of Washington. Accessed February 23, 2026. https://depts.washington.edu/moving1/Virginia.shtml. 

Gruesbeck, Emma. “History and Hope: Hyde Park Historic District, Burkeville, VA: Creating Climate Hope Through Community Aid.” National Park Service. Updated December 16, 2024. Accessed February 23, 2026. https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/history-and-hope-hyde-park.htm. 

Historic Context for Richmond Area Dairy Barns, c. 1900-1955. Report. June 2003. Virginia Department of Historic Resources. https://www.dhr.virginia.gov/pdf_files/SpecialCollections/VA-056_Richmond_Area_Dairy_Barn_Context_2003-revised.pdf. 

“Installation History.” Defense Logistics Agency. Accessed February 23, 2026. https://www.dla.mil/Aviation/Installation/History/. 

“Larus & Brother Company.” Virginia Museum of History and Culture. Accessed February 23, 2026. https://virginiahistory.org/research/research-resources/finding-aids/larus-brother-company. 

“Lineage of Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 31.” United States Marine Corps. Accessed February 24, 2026. https://www.usmcu.edu/Portals/218/MARINE%20AVIATION%20LOGISTICS%20SQUADRON%2031.pdf. 

McGoey, Sean. “DuPont settles with Chesterfield workers for $3.6 million in back pay.” Richmond Times-Dispatch [Richmond, Virginia], April 18, 2023. https://richmond.com/news/local/business/article_2d1198c4-dd47-11ed-810f-231f00b131f7.html. 

“Must See RVA!- Kingan and Co.” RVA Hub. Accessed February 23, 2026. https://rvahub.com/2019/02/22/must-see-rva-kingan-co/. 

“R Kenneth Campbell, Sr.” Veterans Legacy Memorial, National Cemetery Administration. Accessed April 17, 2026. https://www.vlm.cem.va.gov/RKENNETHCAMPBELLSR/81f152.

“Robert Kenneth Campbell Sr.” Find a Grave. Updated December 8, 2010. Accessed February 25, 2026. https://findagrave.com/memorial/62700944/robert_kenneth-campbell. 

“Wanda Campbell Brinkley.” Find a Grave Memorial. Updated September 26, 2019. Accessed February 23, 2026. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/203329204/wanda-brinkley. 

“‘We Can Do It’: Women Who Served in World War II.” Library of Virginia. Last modified July 3, 2024. Accessed February 23, 2026. https://uncommonwealth.lva.virginia.gov/blog/2024/07/03/wwii-women-veterans/. 

Whelan, Paul. “From the Archives: 250 Photos of Richmond in the 1940s | RTD 175.” Richmond Times-Dispatch [Richmond, Virginia], September 15, 2025. https://richmond.com/news/local/history/collection_3a97b2d3-eb3c-575b-8ba5-f6ddfa4de67f.html.

This profile was funded by a grant from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. The opinions, findings, and conclusions stated herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.