Chase, William C. (William Curtis), 1895-1986

As Major in U.S. Cavalry attended Command & General Staff School (1931) and Army War College (1935). Commanded 1st Cavalry Brigade, 38th Infantry Division and 1st Cavalry Division and participated in the Admiralty Island, Leyte and Luzon campaigns and was ordered to capture Manila during World War II. Rose to rank of Major General.

William C. Chase was a United States (U.S.) Army officer. He was a commander of the 1st Cavalry Division from 1945 to 1948 and was Chief of Staff (CofS) of the Third (3rd) Army from 1949-1951. He was also the chief of the Military Assistance Advisory Group (MAAG), Formosa. He retired from the military in 1955.

William Curtis Chase (1895-1986) was born in Providence, Rhode Island. He enlisted with the Rhode Island National Guard in 1913. He graduated from Brown University in 1916 and then commissioned with the cavalry. During World War I, he served with the 4th Division. He graduated from the Command and General Staff School in 1931 and the Army War College in 1935. He taught at the Cavalry School and the General Staff School between 1935 and 1940. After his years as an instructor, he worked with the War Department General Staff until 1942. During World War II, he was assistant division commander and then commanding general of the 1st Cavalry Division. He rose to the rank of brigadier general in March 1943 and made major general two years later. After the war, he served as chief of staff, then deputy commanding general, of the Third Army from 1949 to 1951. He retired in February 1955. His awards include the Distinguished Service Cross, two Distinguished Service Medals, the Legion of Merit, four Bronze Stars, the Commendation Ribbon, and Purple Heart.