Born in Newburgh, New York, Case was appointed midshipman in 1828.

He participated in the Wilkes Expedition of 1837–1842 which explored the South Seas and discovered the Antarctic Continent.

[1] During the Mexican–American War, he held the town of Palisada with 25 men against the Mexican cavalry for two weeks to block the escape of General Santa Ana.

In the Civil War he was Fleet Captain of the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron in its capture of Forts Clark and Hatteras in August 1861.

From 1869 to 1873 he was Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance, attaining the rank of rear admiral on May 24, 1872.