Chace Russell Gilmore was born in September 4, 1925 to Chace and Jennie Gilmore who lived on Pottstown Pike (Rt. 100) just north of the borough of West Chester, Pennsylvania.  He was the only son of three children, including sisters Thelma and Ortha.

His father owned and operated a machine shop in West Chester and was granted a patent for a machine which connected upholstery springs (which he assigned to the Peerless Spring Company - rented space at Hoops Brothers).

Chace attended the West Chester High School, then located on the northeast corner of Church and Washington Streets, Class of 1944. He sang in the school choir and was the color bearer for their band.

Chace was described by fellow student Barnes McCormick, “the cleanness living he ever knew.” A Daily Local newspaper article describes him as: “A youth of fine character.” He made many friends and was known as a lover of nature and animals. 

Chace was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and sung in the choir.  He was awarded a 14^th year bar for perfect Sunday School attendance.

Chace left school to join in the Army on December 28, 1943.  He received Camp Blanding, Florida, the Fort Ord, (near Monterey) California, Camp Howze, Texas and Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He was served in Company F, 387 Infantry Division, 7^th Army.  

Chace returned home for a 12 hour furlough on October 1, 1944,before he was shipped overseas to France.

Private First Class Chace Russell Gilmore was Killed In Action on November20, 1944 while advancing against the enemy in Raon L’Etape  in eastern France.

His parents received notification from the government that he was Wounded In Action, and later that he died the same day.

Chace was buried with full military honors and full religious services accordance with the rites of his church.

A memorial service was held on December 17, 1944 at the First Presbyterian Church in honor of Chace. The service was well attended by friends, church members, and the American Legion.  The ushers were assisted by Corporal Jerry McComick who received basic training with Chace.  Miss Mary Eyre MacElree was the organist, Mrs. Margarite Heinze Koch, the choir director sang.  The service was led by the Reverend J. Garrett Kell, the churches pastor, who said “With a cheery smile and a wave of the hand, he left us for an unknown Land…Following this with the promise of eternal joy in a realm which is yet to be seen by his friends.” Taps were blown by two young members of the church orchestra: Don Himes and Robert Morris.

His father invented a dripless candle which he patented and manufactured.  He called it the Chace Candle after his son.

At the family’s request, Chace Gilmore was returned to his home country for reburial.  He body arrived on the ship Carroll Victory, with 7,571 other WW II dead from Europe. A service with full military honors was held at the Hicks Funeral Home at 229 South High Street in West Chester, on December 7, 1948.  Rev J. Garret Kell conducted the service.  Burial was at Greenmount Cemetery on Westtown Road in West Chester.