First Field Marshal Manekshaw passes away

NI Wire

New Delhi

Fri, 27 Jun 2008: 

India’s first Field Marshal Sam Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw, the Padma Vibhushan and Military Cross award winner on past midnight passed away at the Military Hospital in Wellington, Tamil Nadu in the wee hours. He was 94 and had been admitted in the hospital due to suffering from Acute Bronchopneumoniaa progressive lung disease with related complexities.

Most of his family members were present there when he breathed for the last time.

In his four-decade long Military career, he fought World War – II, Indo-China war 1962, Indo-Pak war 1965 and Indo-Pak war –1971. In the second Indo-Pak war, Manekshaw was the 8th chief of Army, who made a record by winning the war in the shortest period of time in the recent war history.

“He was a great soldier and most decorated officer of Indian Army,” said Defence Minister A K Antony in his released condolence statement and expressed his heartache on his death. Paying the homage to former highest rank officer, Antony said, “Nation has lost a great soldier… I am deeply grieved to learn of the demise of Field Marshal Sam Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw. He was a great soldier, a true patriot and a noble son.”

“His demise has left behind a void that will be really hard to fill. Field Marshal Manekshaw will be fondly remembered by our Armed Forces and the nation alike. I extend my heartfelt condolences to all the members of the bereaved family.” Antony added in his condolence statement.

Maneksahw was the first army officer, who was honoured with India’s highest ever Army ranking, Field Marshal, the rank which is conferred for life. The second Field Marshal was late Kodandera Madappa Cariappa.

He was famous with nickname ‘Sam Bahadur’ among the army staff for his great bravery, valour and leadership qualities.

Awards and Rankings

He was honoured with Padma Vibhushan in 1972 and was conferred upon with the rank of Field Marshal on 01 January, 1973 after winning the Indo-Pak war, 1971.

Earlier, he had been awarded with Padma Bhushan in 1968 for handling the tricky problem of insurgency in Nagaland.

During the British Raj, Major General Cowan quickly pinned his own Military Cross ribbon on to Manekshaw saying, “A dead person cannot be awarded a Military Cross,”when he was wounded in World War-II in Burma campaign fighting against the Japanese army.