Marshal Arjen Singh - Sikhs The Supreme

Air Chief Marshal Arjan Singh was handed over the baton of Marshal of the Indian Air Force by the President of India K.R. Narayanan on April 23, 2002, thus he got the honour of becoming the FIRST EVER MARSHAL OF THE INDIAN AIR FORCE. He was born in 1919 at Lyallpur (Pak.). His father, S. Kishan Singh, a Civil Engineer worked in Ceylon Railway.

S. Arjan Singh got training of flying at the Royal Air Force, Cranwell, U.K. and he was commissioned in 1939. He took over as Commanding Officer of No.1 Squadron in Sept. 1943. For gallantry and outstanding leadership shown by him against Japanese in the Burma campaign in 1943-44 during World War II, he was awarded with the "Distinguished Flying Cross" by British Govt. At that time for an Indian to be decorated with such a high award was indeed a pride for the nation. He was called the "Lion of Imphal" for his feat of seize of Imphal during this campaign. He became chief of the Air Staff in 1964. In 1965 the lAF, under his outstanding leadership and guidance, established her definite supremacy over the Pakistan Air Force for which he was awarded Padma Vibhushan Bar-One, the nation's highest honour. Lt. General (Retd.) B.M. Kaul paid great tributes to Marshal Arjan Singh in his book "The Untold Story" for his notable contribution in 1965 war with Pakistan.

In 1966 his post was upgraded to Air Chief Marshal and he became the FIRST Indian to get the rank. This was in lieu of his showing leadership of highest order in 1965 war with Pakistan. This year he was also appointed as the Chairman of the Chief of Staff Committee. "An inspiring Squadron Commander", a tribute paid to him in 1944 when he won DFC. He was a man of great professional skill, courage, high morale and outstanding leadership. He has completed many operational missions involving flights in very difficult situations in bad weathers, during his tenure in service.

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