Brigadier General Charles H. Chase joined the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment on its activation in 1942, and continued with that unit through its service with the 101st Airborne Division in World War II, making combat jumps at Normandy and The Netherlands and participating in the defense of Bastogne. His assignments included tours of duty as executive officer of the 506th, acting 101st Airborne Division G 3 (Operations), and finally as commander of the 506th.

General Chase is also a veteran of the action in Korea. From September 1953, to May 1954, he commanded the 35th Infantry Regiment of the 25th Infantry Division and from May to October 1954, was G 2 (Intelligence) of the Eighth United States Army.

After his Korean tour, General Chase served a year in the Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staf in Washington.

He rejoined the "Screaming Eagle" Division prior to its reactivation, coming to Fort Campbell in February 1956, to command the Fort and advance elements of the division stationed there. When the division was reactivated, he was named assistant division commander.

General Chase is a graduate of the Infantry School (1936), the Armed Forces Staff College (1947), the Army War College (1951), and the Naval War College (1953).

His decorations include the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, the Bronze Star with two oak leaf clusters, the Commendation Ribbon, the Master Parachutist's Badge and the Combat Infantryman's Badge.

He was promoted to his present rank April 23, 1956.