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Navy Federal Credit Union
Levi
Richard
Chase
December 23, 1917

–

September 4, 1994

Cemetery:

Cortland Rural Cemetery

Levi Chase flew with three different fighter squadrons in WWII, shooting down a total of 12 enemy aircraft to become a Double ACE. Flying in North Africa and the China, Burma, India Theater, he is the only American pilot to shoot down aircraft from THREE Axis powers during the war. He also flew during both the Korean and Vietnam Wars, and retired in 1973 as a U.S. Air Force Major General.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    60th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    33d Fighter Group

    Division:

    12th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, Army Air Forces, India-Burma Sector, General Orders No. 85 (April 9, 1945)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Levi Richard Chase (AFSN: 0-37352A/0-0426365), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving Pilot of a Fighter Airplane in the 60th Fighter Squadron, 33d Fighter Group, TWELFTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations, in World War II. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Lieutenant Colonel Chase, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Colonel

    Regiment:

    8th Fighter-Bomber Group

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    July 11, 1952
    Headquarters, Far East Air Forces, General Orders No. 421 (August 21, 1952)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Colonel Levi Richard Chase (AFSN: 0-37352A), United States Air Force, for gallantry in action against an armed enemy of the United Nations as Pilot of a Fighter Airplane and as Commanding Officer of the 8th Fighter-Bomber Group, FIFTH Air Force, in action on 11 July 1952. Knowing that the defense of the target area consisted of fifty-two heavy guns, sixteen of which were radar controlled, sixteen four-gun batteries of automatic weapons and an undetermined amount of intense small arms fire, Colonel Chase led the 8th Fighter-Bomber Group on three highly successful missions into this heavily defended area at Pyongyang, Korea. Colonel Chase so effectively planned the attack and employed evasive tactics that he led one hundred and eighty-one effective combat sorties through the intense enemy barrage without major damage or the loss of a single aircraft. This series of devastating attacks completely destroyed a vital communications and ordnance manufacturing plant, and inflicted major damage on a roundhouse and a locomotive repair plant. Through his outstanding courage, leadership, and professional skill, Colonel Chase was instrumental in reducing the war potential of the enemy, and reflected great credit upon himself, the FAR EAST Air Forces, and the United States Air Force.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major General

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major General Levi Richard Chase (AFSN: 0-37352A), United States Air Force, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Chase and his dedicated contributions in the Service of his Country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major General

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major General Levi Richard Chase (AFSN: 0-37352A), United States Air Force, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Chase and his dedicated contributions in the Service of his Country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major General

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major General Levi Richard Chase (AFSN: 0-37352A), United States Air Force, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Chase and his dedicated contributions in the Service of his Country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    60th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    33d Fighter Group

    Division:

    12th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Levi Richard Chase (AFSN: 0-37352A), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Fighter Pilot of the 60th Fighter Squadron, 33d Fighter Group, TWELFTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Colonel

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel Levi Richard Chase (AFSN: 0-37352A), United States Air Force, was awarded a Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Sixth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. His devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Colonel

    Regiment:

    8th Fighter Bomber Group

    Action Date:

    Korean War

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel Levi Richard Chase (AFSN: 0-37352A), United States Air Force, was awarded a Fourth Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Commanding Officer, 8th Fighter Bomber Group, FIFTH Air Force, in Korea. His devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major General

    Action Date:

    July 1971 – November 1973

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major General Levi Richard Chase (AFSN: 0-37352A), United States Air Force, was awarded the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States, culminating as Vice Commander, NINTH Air Force, from July 1971 to November 1973. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Chase culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and his dedicated contributions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    60th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    33d Fighter Group

    Division:

    12th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Levi Richard Chase (AFSN: 0-37352A), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Fighter Pilot of the 60th Fighter Squadron, 33d Fighter Group, TWELFTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.