All 5-Star Generals of Indian Armed Forces

Indian Armed Forces have always been a topic of fascination for me. Today I am about to tell you all about the rarest achievement for any personnel from the defense. While many Bravehearts might receive an opportunity to command their entire respective forces after years of devoted service, only a few of them ever get the chance to be accorded 5-Star ranks. In Indian Military history, this rare event has occurred only three times in its entire 70 years of Independent existence.

The Indian armed forces have had only three Marshalrank officers, the highest honorary rank possible, till now. While professional structure-wise, Chief of the Air Staff/Chief of the Army Staff/ Chief of the Naval Staff is the highest "post" possible, rank is something you achieve with your years in service. Normally all these highest posts are accorded with a specific 4-star rank, and every officer to assume these leadership roles become 4-star generals or air marshals or admirals.

While the 5-star rank is completely on merit and honorary and is considered the zenith a man in services can reach. With enough of the preface, let's dive into the only three people who have been awarded such an honor in Indian Military history.

Field Marshal Kodandera "Kipper" Madappa Cariappa

Field Marshal Cairappa was the first Commander-in-Chief of the infant Independent Indian Army. He had been a life long army man, serving in all kinds of capacity ranging from being a simple infantryman to leading a whole brigade. 

In his career spanning over 3 decades, he became the first Indian officer to command a battalion, one of the first two to get trained in Imperial Defense College, UK. With his vast experience in leadership and administrative roles, he was chosen as the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army under the Nehru Government.

And it is not that he was not an astute strategist in the active zone. It was under his aegis, the all-important Western Command was established in its present form. 

He launched three subsequent attacks—Operations Kipper, Easy, and Bison—to capture the Naushera, Jhangar, Poonch, Zoji La, Dras, and Kargil areas. Plans were laid to drive out the Pakistani forces from Kashmir completely, but they were stopped by the intervention of the United States. On 6 July 1948, the Army HQ issued strict instructions against conducting any major operations without its permission. Cariappa protested against this, stating that this policy would threaten Leh, Kargil, and ultimately the Kashmir Valley, which would put the country's security at stake. Though Cariappa asked for two brigades to continue offensive strikes, he was provided only one and permitted to advance to Kargil. He disobeyed orders and launched strikes in the Ladakh area allowing India to assert control over the region. Cariappa continued several operations and offensive strikes against the Pakistanis 

Credits to him for retaining much of Kashmir state. As a mark of recognition for the commendable service rendered by him to the nation, the Government of India conferred the rank of field marshal on Cariappa on 28 April 1986, at a special investiture ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

A star of the Indian Army receiving his due recognition

Interestingly he was the last Commander-in-Chief of the Army coming from Army. Now, the President of India is the ex-officio Commander of all the three Forces.

Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw

Sam Bahadur, in his ceremonial uniform

Having already commanded troops at the division, corps, and regional levels, Manekshaw became the seventh chief of the army staff in 1969. Under his command, Indian forces conducted victorious campaigns against Pakistan in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, which led to the creation of Bangladesh in December 1971. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan, the second and third highest civilian awards of India. 

read more about his life and bravery in this article.

In January 1973, Manekshaw was conferred with the rank of Field Marshal, the first army officer of independent India to be so honored.

Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh

Marshal of the Air Force is the highest rank in Indian Air Force just above the Air Chief Marshal. 

There has only been one case where this rank was awarded to any Air Force Officer.

Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh had a very long air force career, from serving in World War 2 to leading Indian charge to victories in the 1965 War, he had done it all. He was also instrumental in pushing back the Pakistani Sabres from the Kashmir region with his strategic deployments of Folland Gnats.

Read More about Folland Gnat >>

Singh led the IAF during the war showing unparalleled leadership and remained cool and inspirational throughout. And it was due to this wartime leadership, he became the first person to be promoted to Air Chief Marshal in 1966 while in office as Chief of Air Staff.

Not everyone can hold a staff with National Emblem on it.

On 25 January 2002, the Government of India announced that the rank of Marshal of the Indian Air Force was to be conferred on Air Chief Marshal Arjan Singh, DFC, with effect from 26 January 2002, in recognition of the most valuable services to the Air Force and the Nation. The rank is the highest in the Indian Air Force.

A well and truly distinguished wartime hero, he was.

It is rather unfortunate that we don't have any living 5-star officers currently among us. Further underlining the sheer hard work and dedication these brave men had shown all their lives. 

One of my readers had pointed this out in Sam Manekshaw's story, that he feels sad for him not being awarded Bharat Ratna. Well, in my opinion, more people have got Bharat Ratna than 5-star ranks, so being a 5-star rank officer, for me, is a greater achievement. Do let me know your thoughts and suggestions in the comment down below. See you around.

~ciao