Citation to Silver Star (Second Oak Leaf Cluster)

Colonel Levi R. Chase, A0426365, United States Air Force.

Colonel Chase distinguished himself by gallantry in action against an armed enemy of the United Nations as Commanding Officer, 8th Fighter bomber Group, on 11 July 1952. Knowing that the defense of the target area consisted of fity-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 Chases 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.

By Command of General Weyland

S.R. Brentnall
Major General, USAF
Vice Commander