A career U.S. Army officer for 32 years, Major General William S. "Bill" Chen was the first Chinese American to wear the two-star rank of Major General in the U.S. Army. A pioneer in missile defense, he shaped the future of national security through his leadership in developing and acquiring state-of-the-art military technology.

Military Career

General Chen served as a career U.S. Army officer for 32 years, retiring in 1993. In 1989, at the age of 49, he achieved the historic milestone of becoming the first Chinese American promoted to Major General.

His military career primarily focused on the development, procurement, and support of the Army's missile, air defense, and missile defense systems. Beyond his acquisition roles, he commanded a battalion and served in Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, and Laos.

As a Major General, he served as the Commanding General of the U.S. Army Missile Command (MICOM) at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. During Operation Desert Storm and Desert Shield, he oversaw the largest deployment and subsequent combat use of missiles in the Army's history, ensuring the readiness and effectiveness of these critical systems.

He also served as the Program Executive Officer for Missile Defense, where he led the development, procurement, and support of the Army's national and theater missile defense programs, including the selection of the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) missile interceptor.

Industry Leadership

Following his retirement from the Army in September 1993, General Chen joined the defense industry, continuing his contribution to national security:

• United Defense, Inc. (1994–2005): Served as VP and Program Director, and later as VP of Engineering & Product Development for the Armament Systems Division.
• BAE Systems, Inc. (2005–2011): Served as U.S. VP & General Manager for a joint venture U.S.-Turkish defense company based in Ankara, Turkey.

Family Heritage

Bill Chen is a third-generation Chinese American and the second son of H. Moon Chen, an aviation pioneer in his own right. His father was an American-born Chinese who flew for CNAC, served as a pilot in the U.S. Army Air Corps 14th Air Force (Flying Tigers), and later became an airline executive with Civil Air Transport and a business executive with Northrop Aircraft Corporation. This rich family tradition of aviation and service deeply influenced Bill's own path.

Moon Chen's story is remarkable in its own right. Born in 1908 in Columbus, Ohio, one of ten children of a Chinese railroad laborer, he was orphaned at 15 when his mother died in the 1918 flu pandemic and his father passed in 1924. Despite these hardships, Moon graduated from the University of Michigan in 1932 as an aeronautical engineer—during the depths of the Great Depression, when jobs were scarce and opportunities for Chinese-Americans even scarcer.

Unable to find work in America, Moon traveled to Shanghai in 1935 and joined Chinese National Airways Corporation (CNAC). When Japan invaded China in 1937, he flew for Bill Pawley's Central Aircraft Manufacturing Company (CAMCO) and later supported the American Volunteer Group—the legendary Flying Tigers—as pilot of CAMCO's twin-engine Beechcraft transport. Commissioned as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army Air Forces in 1942, he flew more than 500 missions "over the Hump" of the Himalayas and served as General Chennault's liaison to the Chinese Air Force.

After the war, Moon worked for Chennault's Civil Air Transport and later as a consultant for Northrop Corporation, where he contributed to the development of the F-5E Tiger II fighter. He lived to 101, passing in 2009 with a final thumbs-up gesture—"all okay" in American, ding hoa ("very best") in Chinese.

Education

General Chen holds a bachelor’s degree in Engineering Mathematics and a master’s degree in Aeronautical & Astronautical Engineering, both from the University of Michigan. He also earned an M.B.A. from Auburn University.

He is a Distinguished Graduate of the U.S. Air Force Air Command & Staff College, the Defense Systems Management College, and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.

Awards and Decorations

• Distinguished Service Medal (2 awards)
• Legion of Merit
• Bronze Star Medal
• Meritorious Service Medal (with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters)
• Meritorious Unit Commendation
• Air Medal
• Joint Services Commendation Medal
• Army Commendation Medal
• Army Staff Identification Badge

Speaking Engagements

Major General Chen is available for speaking engagements, offering unique insights drawn from his distinguished military career and pioneering achievements. His presentations cover:

• Leadership in Crisis: Commanding during Desert Storm's largest missile deployment and making critical decisions under pressure.
• Innovation in National Defense: The evolution of missile defense systems and the selection of the PAC-3 interceptor.
• The Chinese-American Military Experience: Breaking barriers across generations and the importance of diverse leadership.
• Strategic Decision-Making: Lessons from battalion command to program executive leadership roles.
• Multi-Generational Service: A family legacy from the Flying Tigers to modern warfare and missile defense.

For booking inquiries, please visit the contact page.

Personal Life

Bill has enjoyed retirement since August 2011. He and his wife, Sandra, reside in Belmont, Massachusetts.

Community Recognition

Major General Chen continues to be recognized for his pioneering achievements and contributions to the Asian American and Pacific Islander community. In 2025, he was honored to throw out the first pitch at AAPI Night at Fenway Park.