Past Commander-in-Chief Tad D. Campbell first joined the SUVCW in 1997 and became a life member in 2005. He was elected Commander-in-Chief at the 133rd Annual National Encampment at Marietta, Georgia on August 16, 2014.

At the camp level with Phil Sheridan Camp No. 4 in San Jose, California, Past Commander-in-Chief Campbell has held every elective office in the Camp, including two terms as Commander, and the appointive offices of Patriotic Instructor, Historian, Newsletter Editor (24+ years), Graves Registration Officer, Civil War Memorials Officer, Signals Officer/Webmaster (25+ years), and thrice appointed Counselor to Dr. Mary E. Walker Auxiliary No. 52.

With the Department of California and Pacific, he was elected Junior Vice Commander, Senior Vice Commander, thrice as Department Commander, and six times to the Department Council. Past Commander-in-Chief Campbell has also been appointed Department Counselor thrice, Signals Officer/Webmaster (25+ years), and four times as Auxiliary Department Counselor. He was an integral member of the 2012 National Encampment Host Committee, including the design of all medals, artwork, website, and the design and production of all printed programs.

At the national level, Past Commander-in-Chief Campbell has attended every National Encampment since 2001, including the First Special National Encampment at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania in 2007, and has served on numerous Encampment and Visitation Committees. He served four years on the Standing Committee on History, twice as Chair of the Standing Committee on Fraternal Relations, and as a member of the National Committees on Constitution & Regulations, Program & Policy and Civil War Memorial Grant Fund. He served 3 years on the National Council of Administration, one year as Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief and then as Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief. Past Commander-in-Chief Campbell is also a graduate of the SUVCW’s Memorial University.

In 2023, Past Commander-in-Chief Campbell retired after a 31+ year career as a 9-1-1 Dispatcher in San Jose, California, tenth largest city in the United States. He received numerous awards and recognition of his work, including thrice being named “Dispatcher of the Year.” He was raised in the town of Gilroy, California, where he continues to reside with his wife Tina.

Past Commander-in-Chief Campbell honors the following seven direct ancestors who served under the Union banner:

• Ira Erastus Angus, 10th Michigan Cavalry
• John Henderson Appleton, 17th Indiana Infantry, Wilder’s Lightning Brigade
• George W. Duryee, 4th Michigan Infantry
• Alexander Oakes, 1st Arkansas Cavalry (US)

He has also identified 33 blood uncles and 134 first cousins who fought for the Union.

Past Commander-in-Chief Campbell’s varied ancestry also includes great-great-great-grandfather Eldridge Campbell who served in Company I, 25th Virginia Cavalry, CSA. At least 14 blood uncles and an equal number of first cousins also enlisted for the Confederacy.

Past Commander-in-Chief Campbell also belongs to the following organizations:

• Sons of Veterans Reserve (SVR) – 1st Sgt., Co. C, 8th California Infantry
• Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States (MOLLUS)
• Sons of Confederate Veterans (SCV) – Life Member
• Morgan’s Men Association – Life Member
• Sons of Spanish American War Veterans (SSAWV)
• Bloodlines of Salem – Life Member