One of the recent happening in our country was death of Field Marshal Sam Hormusji Framji "Sam Bahadur" Jamshedji Maneksha. heres sum info on this legend.
Field Marshal Sam Hormusji Framji "Sam Bahadur" Jamshedji Manekshaw MC (April 3, 1914 – June 27, 2008) a long career spanning nearly four decades, Manekshaw rose to be the 8th chief of staff of the Indian Army in 1969 and under his command, Indian forces concluded a campaign by getting involved and siding with the Bengali's later to be called the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. Bangladesh, a region separated by more than 1000 kms from Pakistan, later gained independence after this battle.
Sam Manekshaw was the first of only two Indian military officers to hold the largely honorary, yet highest, rank of field marshal of the Indian Army (the other being Field Marshal K M Cariappa). His distinguished military career spanned four decades and through five wars, including World War II. During World War II, Manekshaw saw action in the Burma campaign on Sittang River as a captain with the 4/12 Frontier Force Regiment.
For his distinguished service to the country, the then President of India (V. V. Giri) awarded him a Padma Vibhushan in 1972 and conferred upon him the rank of field marshal on 1 January 1973. Manekshaw became the first of the only two Indian Army Generals to be awarded this prestigious honorary rank; the other being the late Field Marshal Kodandera Madappa Cariappa. Manekshaw retired a fortnight later (although technically field marshals of the Indian Army never retire because the rank is conferred for life), on 15 January 1973, after completing nearly four decades of military service.
Following his retirement from the Indian Army, Manekshaw successfully served as a director of numerous companies.
He died of complications from pneumonia at the Military Hospital in Wellington, Tamil Nadu on 0030 hours, June 27, 2008 at the age of 94. He was laid to rest in Ootacamund, Tamil Nadu, with military honours, adjacent to his wife's grave. His last words were "I'm okay!"
