Field Marshal Sam Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw, MC (3 April 1914 – 27 June 2008), popularly known as Sam Bahadur ("Sam the Brave"), was an Indian military leader. He was the first Indian Army officer to be promoted to the five-star rank of field marshal.
Though Manekshaw initially thought of pursuing his career as a doctor, he later joined the first batch of the Indian Military Academy (IMA) when it was established in 1932. Right from his days at IMA, he proved to be witty and humorous in nature. He was first attached to the 2nd Battalion of Royal Scots, and then later posted to the 4th Battalion of 12th Frontier Force Regiment, commonly known as the 54th Sikhs. Following partition, he later reassigned to the 16th Punjab Regiment, before being posted to the 3rd Battalion, 5th Gorkha Rifles, which he was detailed to command. His distinguished military career spanned four decades and five wars, beginning with service in the British Indian Army in World War II. During action in World War II, he was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry.
Manekshaw rose to become the 8th Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army in 1969 and under his command, Indian forces conducted victorious campaigns against Pakistan in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 that led to the liberation of Bangladesh in December 1971. Later, he was awarded the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan for his services to the Indian nation.
