Message from Councilman Roshan (Roc) White | March 20, 2026
In every community, there are stories that remind us not only of who we are, but of what has been sacrificed to preserve the life we enjoy today.
This week, we pause to honor one such story: that of Chief Electrician’s Mate John Judson Campbell, a Plainfield native who died in 1942 in a Japanese POW camp and will now be laid to rest on Monday, March 30 in Scotch Plains.
Chief Campbell’s life reflects a level of service and sacrifice that is difficult to fully comprehend.
Enlisting in the United States Navy in 1924, he dedicated himself to a career of service, steadily rising through the ranks through skill, discipline and leadership. He served aboard several ships, including the USS Canopus, where he played a critical role maintaining the electrical systems that kept the vessel operational.
When World War II reached the Pacific, Chief Campbell was stationed in the Philippines during one of the most challenging and consequential moments in American military history. Following the fall of Bataan, he was captured by Japanese forces and forced to endure the harsh realities of life as a prisoner of war. Subjected to brutal conditions, limited food and medical care, and unimaginable hardship, he ultimately gave his life in captivity in 1942.
For decades, his story remained incomplete.
Like so many service members lost during the war, his remains were never definitively identified, leaving a lingering uncertainty for generations. It was not until 2024 that the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency identified Chief Campbell’s remains, bringing long-overdue closure and ensuring that his sacrifice would never be forgotten.
As we gather to honor him here in Scotch Plains, at Hillside Cemetery, we are reminded that his story, while extraordinary, is not unique. It represents the broader legacy of service shared by millions of American veterans, men and women who have answered the call to defend our nation, often at great personal cost.
Many returned home and quietly built lives in communities like ours, contributing in ways both seen and unseen. Others made the ultimate sacrifice, leaving behind a legacy that continues to shape the freedoms we enjoy today.
It is also crucial that we recognize the veterans who are still with us while we can. The Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that fewer than 45,000 of the 16.4 million Americans who served in World War II are still alive today, with an estimated 150 passing away daily.
It is projected that there will be none remaining within the next decade. These statistics are sobering, but they remind us why honoring these heroes is essential. Their stories must be kept alive, and we must show them they are appreciated.
This moment of remembrance carries even greater significance as our nation approaches its 250th anniversary. For two and a half centuries, America’s story has been defined by the courage, resilience, and selflessness of those willing to stand in harm’s way for something greater than themselves. Each generation has been called upon to protect and preserve the ideals upon which this country was founded.
Chief Campbell’s life serves as a powerful reminder of those ideals. His service, his sacrifice, and the long journey to bring him home speak to the enduring commitment our nation makes to those who serve. They will never be forgotten.
Let us honor Chief Campbell not only with words, but with reflection and gratitude. May we take this moment to recognize the sacrifices of all our veterans, past and present, and recommit ourselves to carrying forward the values they fought to protect.
In doing so, we ensure that their legacy continues to live on, not just in memory, but in our collective strength and unity.
