Joginder Singh Gharaya
Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 | |
---|---|
Awards | Maha Vir Chakra Kirti Chakra Vishisht Seva Medal |
Early life
Born in Montgomery in the Punjab Province (now Sahiwal, Pakistan). He did his schooling from King George Royal Indian Military College(now Rashtriya Military School Chail) and received an emergency commission as a second lieutenant in the Frontier Force Regiment on 20 January 1946, transferring to the Bihar Regiment following the independence and partition of India, when the Frontier Force Regiment was allocated to Pakistan.[4]
Decorated officer
While serving with the 1st Battalion, Bihar Regiment during
The President is pleased to approve the award of the Ashoka Chakra, Class II, to the undermentioned personnel for acts of conspicuous gallantry in the Hyderabad Police Action - 1948.
Captain Jogindra (sic) Singh Gharaya (IC-1984), 1 Bn. The Bihar Regiment.
On 24 September 1948, Capt. Gharaya while proceeding with his Company to village Puchanapet was suddenly fired upon by two truck loads of Razakars who then made away. Capt. Gharaya immediately engaged them from his jeep and, followed closely by some of his men in a truck, he gave chase. Although constantly under fire, he kept up the chase and returned fire. Eventually, he managed to shoot down two Razakars. Later, the driver too was killed and the truck halted. The Razakars, however, took up positions and continued the fight. Captain Gharaya then with one Section only, charged the Razakars, killing twelve. Six .303, six Henry Martini (sic) rifles and one pistol were captured.
Throughout this action, as well as on numerous other occasions during the Police Action, Capt. Gharaya showed great leadership, courage and initiative in rounding up armed Razakars. His utter disregard for his personal safety coupled with his cheerfulness were an inspiration and example to all who came in contact with him.
As a lieutenant-colonel, in 1969 Gharaya was awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM) for "distinguished service of a high order."
The President is pleased to approve the award of the Maha Vir Chakra for acts of conspicuous gallantry in the recent operations against Pakistan to:
Brigadier Joginder Singh Gharaya (IC-1984), KC, VSM.
(Effective date of award - 6th December 1971)
Brigadier J.S. Gharaya was commanding an infantry brigade in the Eastern Front in the Jessore Sector on 6 December 1971. His brigade was attacked on four successive occasions and despite heavy casualties, his troops stood the ground due largely to his excellent tactical handling, outstanding courage, constant presence and guidance. His conduct of this operation was responsible for heavy enemy losses and their withdrawal. During the subsequent offensive operations, Brigadier Gharaya was with the leading troops when he was severely wounded by enemy fire. He refused to be evacuated till he had seen the attack through as the success of this attack was vital to our further advance in Bangladesh.
Throughout this operation, Brigadier Gharaya conducted himself with extraordinary courage and through his personal example inspired such spirit and confidence among troops that led to the complete success of the difficult operations.
Later career
Gharaya was promoted to substantive major general on 30 December 1976 (seniority from 1 March 1976),[9] and subsequently commanded both the 9th and 7th Infantry Divisions.[3] He was promoted to lieutenant-general on 1 July 1982 (seniority from 30 March 1981),[10] and served as Chief of Staff, Central Command before his final appointment as Director-General, Infantry, from which post he retired from the Army in 1984.[4][3]
Gharaya died at Chandigarh in the morning of 13 July 2019, aged 92.[4]
Honours and awards
Maha Vir Chakra | Kirti Chakra | Vishisht Seva Medal | |
Wound Medal | Samanya Seva Medal | Samar Seva Star | Poorvi Star |
Raksha Medal | Sangram Medal | Sainya Seva Medal | Indian Independence Medal |
25th Anniversary of Independence Medal | 30 Years Long Service Medal | 20 Years Long Service Medal | 9 Years Long Service Medal |
Dates of rank
Insignia | Rank | Component | Date of rank |
---|---|---|---|
Second Lieutenant | British Indian Army | 20 January 1946 (emergency)[1] | |
Second Lieutenant | Indian Army | 15 August 1947[note 1][11] 20 October 1947 (substantive) | |
Lieutenant | Indian Army | 31 July 1949[2][note 1] | |
Lieutenant | Indian Army | 26 January 1950 (recommissioning and change in insignia)[11][12] | |
Captain | Indian Army | 20 October 1952[13] | |
Major | Indian Army | 20 October 1959[14] | |
Lieutenant-Colonel |
Indian Army | 13 July 1965 (seniority from 19 June 1965)[15] | |
Colonel | Indian Army | 28 June 1972[16] | |
Brigadier | Indian Army | 20 January 1971 (acting)[7] 2 January 1974 (substantive, with seniority from 12 July 1973)[17] | |
Major General | Indian Army | 30 December 1976 (seniority from 1 March 1976)[9] | |
Lieutenant-General |
Indian Army | 1 July 1982 (seniority from 30 March 1981)[10] |
Notes
- ^ Ashoka Lionreplaced the crown, with a five-pointed star being substituted for the "pip."
References
- ^ ISBN 81-7023-516-2.
- ^ a b "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)". The Gazette of India. 18 August 1949. p. 1111.
- ^ a b c d Bajwa, Mandeep Singh (5 June 2016). "Sit rep: For a lion-hearted commander". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
- ^ a b c "Sole officer with second-highest war, peacetime medals dies". The Times of India. 14 July 2019. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
- ^ "Part I-Section 1". The Gazette of India (Extraordinary). 26 January 1952. p. 124.
- ^ "Part I-Section 1". The Gazette of India. 12 April 1969. p. 336.
- ^ a b "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)". The Gazette of India. 11 December 1971. p. 1462.
- ^ "Part I-Section 1". The Gazette of India. 12 February 1972. p. 183.
- ^ a b "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)". The Gazette of India. 9 April 1977. p. 419.
- ^ a b "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)". The Gazette of India. 3 December 1983. p. 1767.
- ^ a b "New Designs of Crests and Badges in the Services" (PDF). Press Information Bureau of India - Archive. Archived (PDF) from the original on 8 August 2017.
- ^ "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)". The Gazette of India. 11 February 1950. p. 227.
- ^ "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)". The Gazette of India. 27 December 1952. p. 289.
- ^ "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)". The Gazette of India. 19 December 1959. p. 317.
- ^ "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)". The Gazette of India. 19 August 1967. p. 635.
- ^ "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)". The Gazette of India. 7 July 1973. p. 745.
- ^ "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)". The Gazette of India. 8 February 1975. p. 196.