Only Officer with Five Star Rank – Marshal Arjan Singh

Marshal Arjan Singh

In our Indian history, we’ve had many brave warriors and leaders who always inspire us. Today, we’re celebrating the birthday of one such hero, Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh. He’s the only Indian Air Force officer to be promoted to the five-star rank. 

Early Life 

1. Born on April 15, 1919, in Lyallpur, Punjab.Arjan Singh was educated in Montgomery, which belongs to Pakistan now.
2. In 1938, while Arjan Singh was still in college, he was selected for the Empire Pilot training course at the Royal Air Force College (RAFC), and in 1939, he was commissioned as a pilot officer.
3. Singh became the first member of his family to become a commissioned officer.
4. After he was commissioned, he served in the North Western Frontier Province as a member of the No.1 IAF Squadron.
5. He led the IAF fly-past on 16 August 1947 after India attained independence.

Commands held

1. Singh was Chief of the Air Staff(CAS), from 1 August 1964 to 15 July 1969, and was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 1965.
2. When appointed as Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force, he was just about 45.
3. He has been the only Chief of the Air Staff to have headed the Air Force for five years as opposed to the regular tenure of two and a half to three years.

2. Singh also became the first Chief of the Air Staff to be upgraded to the rank of Air Chief Marshal from the rank of Air Marshal in recognition of his Air Force’s contribution in the 1965 war. 
3. He took retirement from his services in 1970 at the age of 50.
4. He was promoted to the five-star rank in 2002.

Tale of bravery

1. He proved his valour during the Second World War, when he faced the Japanese Army while serving as a pilot officer in the British-Indian forces in Burma (now Myanmar).
2. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross for “fearless and exceptional” service in 1944.
3. Singh served as the IAF’s Chief of Staff during the 1965 India-Pakistan war. When Pakistan launched its Operation Grand Slam.
4. He was summoned to the defence minister’s office with a request for air support.
5. Singh  replied, “In an hour.” And true to his word, the air force struck the Pakistani offensive in an hour.
6. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan for his leadership of the IAF and his service to the nation during the historic war.

Post retirement

1. After in 1969, Singh served the nation as an ambassador to Switzerland in 1971.
2. As High Commissioner to Kenya in 1974.
3. He also became the Lt Governor of Delhi, in 1989.