Levi R. Chase

Major General Levi R. Chase, 1973

Major General Levi R. Chase (December 23, 1917 – September 4, 1994) was an American fighter pilot and double ace during World War II.

He served for 33 years including four combat tours across three different wars; World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. He flew 512 combat missions total and was a double air flying ace with 12 confirmed victories. (See List of World War II flying aces)

His credits include being the top scoring American Ace during Operation Torch, the invasion of North Africa. Chase was also only one of three allied pilots to shoot down planes from all three axis powers in World War II.^[1]

He would later go on to serve as the operations officer for the 2nd Air Commando Group during the China Burma India Theater. In this role he would eventually plan and lead the longest fighter raid of that time. His group flew P-51D's from Cox's Bazaar, India to attack the Don Muang Airfield in Bangkok, Thailand. The mission flew over 1800 miles and was successful in eliminating the remaining Japanese air power in the Burma theatre.^[2][3]

In 1952, during the Korean War, Chase led the 8th FBG's Attack on the Sui-ho Dam which was responsible for knocking out power to North Korea and northeastern China.

Major General Chase's military decorations include: Silver Star (2 oak leaf cluster) medals,^[4] Bronze Star , Purple Heart, Distinguished Flying Cross (United States) (5 oak leaf clusters), Air Medal (27 oak leaf clusters), the Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom) (with bar), and the Croix de Guerre (with palm).^[5]

References