Carl "Chick" Otto was born in Peirce, NE, attended school there until his junior year. At that time he took a test with the Senior boys and passed. Otto enlisted and requested the Navy but he as placed in the Army. Growing up Otto knew Johnny Carson who grew up in the same town. Otto was stationed in Europe as part of an Infantry squad but was transferred to the 94th Signal Battalion. Otto's job was to help install lines that kept the communication going for the allied forces. His specifically was a pole climber. On one occasion, Otto climbed over a fallen bridge that was knocked down, to save time and material. He carried the phone lines with him and met his unit on the other side after they walked several miles to find a  crossing over the river.

When he returned home, Otto finished school, went to college and had a career in education.