Chad Hilse

Chad Hilse was an Alderaanian ensign with the Alliance to Restore the Republic during the Galactic Civil War. Strongly dedicated to defeating the Galactic Empire, Hilse was serving aboard the Tantive IV when it was was attacked and disabled by the Imperial I-class Star Destroyer Devastator. While defending Princess Leia Organa and the captured Death Star plans she possessed, Hilse was killed in an ensuing gunfight with the 501st Legion stormtrooper unit.

Biography
Chad Hilse was a Human male born on Alderaan. During the Galactic Civil War, he became a loyal trooper with the Alliance to Restore the Republic, strongly dedicated to defeating the Galactic Empire. Hilse received training in both starship and ground combat. In 0 ABY, Hilse was stationed aboard the CR90 corvette Tantive IV with Princess Leia Organa received a transmission from Rebel spies containing plans for the Death Star, a massive Imperial battlestation and superweapon.

Hilse was aboard the Tantive IV when it was attacked and disabled over Tatooine by the Darth Vader's Imperial I-class Star Destroyer Devastator. Hilse was among the detachment led by Pello Scrambas to attempt to repel Imperial boarders expected to storm the ship. After taking defensive positions along the Corvette's corridors, Hilse and his fellow soldiers engaged the 501st Legion stormtrooper unit. Hilse was among the first killed in the ensuing gunfight.

Due to false reports issued under Vader's orders, it was initially believed Hilse and the rest of the Tantive IV personnel were destroyed by an asteroid storm. It was only later, when Organa successfully brought the Death Star plans to the Rebel base on Yavin 4, that the true circumstances of Hilse's death became known to the galaxy.

Behind the scenes
Chad Hilse was a bit role played by an as-yet unidentified actor in the first Star Wars film, A New Hope (1977). To date, this is his only appearance in the Star Wars canon. The character had no lines, and was not identified by the name Chad Hilse until 1995, with the release of the Decipher's Star Wars Customizable Card Game. Hilse and most of his back story were featured on the "Rebel trooper" card in the Premiere Limited card set.

Appearances

 * Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope

Notes and references
Chad Hilse