LRC in Korea #1 
LRC in Korea #2
LRC was called back to military service for the Korean Conflict in 1951. His first assignment in Korea was with the 51st Interceptor Wing, but he was soon given the opportunity to command the 8th Fighter-Bomber Group which was operating out of Suwon (K-13). The group was flying F-80 aircraft and charged primarily with bombing and interdiction missions over both North Korea and South Korea, as well as close support of ground troops. In contrast to his tours in WWII and Viet Nam, there very few photos of him from Korea. Probably his most important combat operations were a series of low-level bombing attacks he led on the North Korean capital of Pyonyang on July 11, 1952. He planned and led three wing-strength sorties through intense flak concentrations without any casualties or aircraft losses to inflict serious damage on several military and industrial targets. He was awarded a second oak leaf cluster to his Silver Star for these missions. He was also awarded the British Distinguished Flying Cross for a second time from the British Government.
Suwon #1
Suwon #2
Suwon #3
Suwon #4
This series of photographs was obtained from Mr. Lou Surratt. Mr. Surratt served as a non-commissioned officer in the 8th FBG Headquarters at Suwon (K-13) at the time LRC was stationed there. These were taken at the decoration ceremony in which LRC received the second oak leaf cluster to his Silver Star mentioned above. I thank Mr. Surratt for donating the photographs.
Hot Sky over Pyonyang
Occasional pieces have appeared about LRC in some of the popular magazines. This link will take you to an article that was written about LRC's role in leading the low-level bombing missions Pyongyan mentioned above.
The Fighting Commander
Following his tour of combat duty in Korea, LRC was assigned as commander of the 3600th Combat Crew Fighter Training Wing stationed at Luke Air Force Base near Phoenix, Arizona. He spent approximately three years in this assignment. The mission of the wing was to train pilots to fly combat missions in several different fighter planes. This link will take you to a scan of an article written for either the base or wing magazine entitled "Chase, the Fighting Commander". The article includes some biographical information as well as the specifics of LRC's command at Luke. Note, however, that a few inaccuracies are to be found. LRC was born in Cortland, N.Y., not Warwick, N.Y. Also, LRC is now known not to have been the only American fighter pilot to down planes of all three Axis nations in WWII, as had been acknowledged for many years. Altogether, three different pilots are now known to have accomplished this feat, and LRC was the second.
LRC and the USAF Thunderbirds
When LRC returned to the United States following his tour of duty in Korea in 1952, he was reassigned as commander of the 3600th Combat Crew Fighter Training Wing at Luke AFB in Arizona. At this time, jet aircraft were still relatively new to the Air Force and many pilots were still a bit nervous about trying to fly them. The USAF Air Demonstration Squadron, eventually to be known as the "Thunderbirds" was formed as a response to the situation. The idea was to demonstrate that jet aircraft could be handled with a high degree of precision. What better way than close formation acrobatic flying? Legend has it that the idea was cooked up over cocktails in the living room of our house or a neighboring officer's quarters one evening. Brigadier Gen. Charles F. Born was put in charge of organizing the original group. LRC was given the task of finding the pilots to form the the first group. The official Air Force Thunderbirdshome page includes a detailed history of the group. The photograph shown here is from my collection and is autographed by one of the early Thunderbird teams.
A Great Lady
Col. and Mrs. L.R. Chase outside quarters, Alexandria, Virginia in 1960. LRC was a student at the National War College at the time. They say behind every great man there's a great woman. Never was
this more true than in the case of my Mrs. Chase. The former Jean Strong of Warwick, N.Y.and LRC were married after he graduated from aviation cadet school and began service in the Army Air Corps. She was the quintessential service wife, enduring the loneliness and anxiety of war time separations, the births of six sons, countless moves, and the rigors of 33 years of military life without complaint. In my opinion, military spouses have never been recognized or credited properly for all they have contributed. Here's to you Mom.. Click here to see more photos of JSC
LRC on the Flight Deck
This is one of my favorite pictures of LRC, even though he's not in the cockpit of a fighter plane (this is probably a C-130 transport). This picture was taken during our tour in Germany (1960-1964) when we were stationed at Wiesbaden Air Base. LRC commanded the 7499th Support Group, which conducted some interesting intelligence operations close to Soviet air space in the Middle East). There were many trips back and forth to Wheelus AB in Libya in those days. LRC piloted many different multi-engine bombers and transports throughout his career.
