Background and History Born February 27 1903 in Hunan province, he participated in the Long March as a shy, boyish man of 31, red-cheeked and snub-nosed. He had been a cadet at Whampoa Military Academy under Chiang Kai-chek and became one of the Red Army's most capable commanders. He had served with Chiang Kai-chek in early battles of Dr. Dun Yat-sen's forces against the Canton warlords and saved Chiang from taking his own life in a moment of despair after his division had been routed. Later when Chen Geng had been captured by the KMT, Chiang tried to induce him to return to the Nationalist fold. Chen refused in contempt, but Chiang allowed him to escape, apparently in hope that soft treatment would encourage other Communist commanders to come to his side.

Activities in Korean War He served as the commander and political commissar of the 3rd Army Group of Chinese People's Volunteer Army. When Peng Dehuai went back to China, Chen worked as the CPVF Chinese General Headquarters as the acting Commander. He was conferred the rank of general in September, 1955 (Equivalent to 4 Stars). Chen's brother-in-law, Tan Zheng, who was married to Chen's younger sister Chen Qiuju, was heavily influenced by Chen and thus joined revolution, and was also rewarded the rank of general with Chen in the same time. He died March 16 1961 in Shanghai.