David Campanale was born on October 7, 1952, in Worcester, Massachusetts. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on October 1, 1970, and completed basic training at Lackland AFB, Texas, in December 1970. Sgt Campanale next attended technical training as an aircraft maintenance technician at Sheppard AFB, Texas, from December 1970 to February 1971, followed by service as a B-52 Stratofortress Crew Chief with the 2nd Organizational Maintenance Squadron at Barksdale AFB, Louisiana, from February 1971 to April 1974. During this time he deployed to Andersen AFB, Guam, in support of operations in Southeast Asia from October 1972 to April 1973. His next assignment was as Technical Order Monitor with the 305th Field Maintenance Squadron at Grissom AFB, Indiana, from April 1974 to August 1978, and then as a C-130 Hercules Crew Chief, NCOIC of the C-130 Inspection Branch, and then as Maintenance Superintendent with the 6594th Test Group at Hickam AFB, Hawaii, from August 1978 to August 1983. SMSgt Campanale served as an FB-111A and KC-135 Stratotanker Flight Chief and Line Chief for the 509th Organizational Maintenance Squadron, and then as Senior Maintenance Controller for the Deputy Commander for Maintenance with the 509th Bomb Wing at Pease AFB, New Hampshire, from August 1983 to August 1986. His next assignment was as FB-111A and B-1B Lancer Systems Program Manager with Headquarters Strategic Air Command at Offutt AFB, Nebraska, from August 1986 to May 1989, followed by service as Senior Enlisted Advisor for the 93rd Bomb Wing at Castle AFB, California, from May 1989 to February 1992. CMSgt Campanale served as Senior Enlisted Advisor to Military Airlift Command and then Air Mobility Command at Scott AFB, Illinois, from February 1992 until he was appointed the 11th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force on October 26, 1994. Chief Campanale served as Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force from October 1994 to November 1, 1996, and retired from the Air Force on January 1, 1997.

His Air Force Distinguished Service Medal Citation reads:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, awards the Distinguished Service Medal to Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force David J. Campanale for exceptionally meritorious service in a duty of great responsibility. Chief Campanale distinguished himself as Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, Office of the Chief of Staff, Headquarters United States Air Force, the Pentagon, Washington, District of Columbia, from 26 October 1994 to 31 December 1996. In this important assignment, his unparalleled leadership and genuine concern for the enlisted men and women of the United States Air Force was the catalyst in bringing stability and improved quality of life after a period of great instability. His many initiatives include holding the last uniform board, pushing through the One Plus One Dormitory policy as a Department of Defense Standard, commissioning creation of an interactive Senior Noncommissioned Officers Academy non-resident course, and approval to send master sergeants to the resident academy course. His contributions toward recording enlisted history is a legacy that will truly stand the test of time. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Chief Campanale culminate a distinguished career in the service of his country and reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.