Chad Hilse was an Alderaanian ensign in the Alliance to Restore the Republic during the Galactic Civil War. Dedicated to defeating the Galactic Empire, he was serving aboard the CR90 corvette Tantive IV when it was attacked and disabled by the Imperial I-class Star Destroyer Devastator. While protecting Princess Leia Organa and the captured Death Star plans she possessed, Hilse died when trying to defend the ship from the 501st Legion stormtrooper unit.
Biography[]
Chad Hilse was a Human male[3] from the planet Alderaan.[1] During the Galactic Civil War, he became a marine[6] and volunteer trooper for the Alliance to Restore the Republic, attaining the rank of ensign and receiving training in both starship and ground combat.[1] In 0 BBY,[2] he was stationed aboard the CR90 corvette Tantive IV when Princess Leia Organa received a transmission from Rebel spies containing plans for the Death Star, a massive Imperial battlestation and superweapon.[3]
Hilse was aboard the Tantive IV when it was attacked and disabled over Tatooine by the Imperial I-class Star Destroyer Devastator, the flagship of the Sith Lord Darth Vader.[3] After taking defensive positions along the corvette's corridors, Hilse and his fellow soldiers engaged the 501st Legion stormtrooper unit.[7] He was among the first to die[8] in the ensuing gunfight.[3]
Personality and traits[]
Chad Hilse typified the loyal Rebel volunteers dedicated to defeating the Empire.[9] He had light skin,[3] brown hair,[4] and blue eyes.[5]
Equipment[]
During his service on the Tantive IV, Chad Hilse wore[3] the standard uniform for Alliance Fleet troopers.[10] He was armed with a DH-17 blaster pistol.[3] Hilse wore a cap as part of his uniform, and his equipment also included a bandolier and a scanner.[5]
Behind the scenes[]
Chad Hilse appeared in the 1977 original trilogy film, Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope. He was played by an uncredited extra,[3] whose scenes were filmed in mid 1976 in the United Kingdom.[11] The character had no lines[3] and was not identified by the name Chad Hilse until 1995 with the release of Decipher's Star Wars Customizable Card Game. His name and most of his backstory were featured on the "Rebel trooper" card in the Premiere Limited card set.[9]
Appearances[]
- Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope (First appearance)
- Star Wars: Battlefront II (Cutscene only)
- Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope PhotoComic
Sources[]
Star Wars Customizable Card Game – Premiere Limited (Card: Rebel Trooper) (backup link) (First identified as Chad Hilse)- The Art of Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (Indirect mention only)
- Star Wars: The Annotated Screenplays (Indirect mention only)
- Star Wars Encyclopedia
- Star Wars: Behind the Magic (Indirect mention only)
- Star Wars: Power of the Jedi (Pack: Rebel Trooper (Tantive IV Defender)) (backup link)
- The Official Star Wars Fact File 23 (REB3, Rebel Fleet Troopers) (Picture only)
- Star Wars Trading Card Game – A New Hope (TCG) (Card: Rebel Marine Squad) (backup link not verified!) (Picture only)
- Star Wars Saga (Pack: Rebel Trooper (Tantive IV Defender)) (backup link)
- Visual Guide—Chapter 3: Imperial Boarding Party on StarWars.com (content now obsolete; backup link)
- Star Wars Unleashed (Pack: Rebel Blockade Troopers (Attack on Tantive IV)) (backup link) (Picture only)
- The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
- Militaries of Star Wars (Pack: Rebel Fleet Trooper) (backup link) (Picture only)
- Star Wars: The Vintage Collection (Pack: Rebel Fleet Trooper) (backup link)
- Star Wars Character Encyclopedia (Picture only)
- Gentle Giant Studios (Pack: Rebel Fleet Trooper Mini Bust (2012 Premium Guild Members' Gift)) (backup link) (Picture only)
- Star Wars: The Ultimate Action Figure Collection
- Rebel Troopers in the Encyclopedia (content now obsolete; backup link) (Picture only)
- Stormtroopers in the Encyclopedia (content now obsolete; backup link)
- Star Wars Blasters: So Uncivilized, But So Awesome on StarWars.com (backup link) (Picture only)
Notes and references[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Star Wars Encyclopedia
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 The New Essential Chronology dates Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope, which includes the Battle of Tatooine and the Star Wars Encyclopedia establishing Chad Hilse's death in that battle, to 0 BBY.
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope
- ↑ 4.0 4.1
Star Wars: Power of the Jedi (Pack: Rebel Trooper (Tantive IV Defender)) (backup link)
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Star Wars: The Vintage Collection (Pack: Rebel Fleet Trooper) (backup link)
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Star Wars Trading Card Game – A New Hope (TCG) (Card: Rebel Marine Squad) (backup link not verified!)
- ↑ Star Wars: Battlefront II
- ↑ The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia, Vol. II, p. 42 ("Hilse, Chad")
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Star Wars Customizable Card Game – Premiere Limited (Card: Rebel Trooper) (backup link)
- ↑ The Rebel Alliance Sourcebook includes a depiction of the standard Alliance Fleet trooper uniforms, which matches the outfit worn by Chad Hilse.
- ↑ The Making of Star Wars: The Definitive Story Behind the Original Film
