Sam Bahadur

Field Marshal S H F J Manekshaw MC
Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw (pictured wearing general's insignia c. 1970)
Nickname(s)	Sam Bahadur
Born	(1914-04-03)3 April 1914 Amritsar, Punjab, British India
Died	27 June 2008(2008-06-27) (aged 94) Wellington, Tamil Nadu, India
Allegiance	British India India
Service/branch	British Indian Army Indian Army
Years of service	1934–2008
Rank	Field Marshal
Commands held	Eastern Command Western Command IV Corps Defence Services Staff College 26th Infantry Division The Infantry School 167th Infantry Brigade Military Operations Directorate
Battles/wars	World War II Indo-Pakistan War of 1947 Sino-Indian War Indo-Pakistan War of 1965 Bangladesh Liberation War
Awards	Padma Vibhushan Padma Bhushan Military Cross
Spouse(s)	Silloo Bode

Field Marshal Sam Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw, MC (3 April 1914 – 27 June 2008), popularly known as Sam Bahadur ("Sam the Brave"), was the Chief of the Army Staff of the Indian Army during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, and was subsequently the first Indian Army officer to be promoted to the rank of field marshal. His distinguished military career spanned four decades and five wars, beginning with service in the British Indian Army in World War II.

Though Manekshaw initially thought of pursuing a career as a medical doctor, he later joined the first intake 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 the Royal Scots, and later posted to the 4th Battalion of the 12th Frontier Force Regiment, commonly known as the 54th Sikhs. During action in World War II, he was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry. Following the partition of India in 1947, he was reassigned to the 16th Punjab Regiment. Maneshaw was seconded to a planning role during the 1947 Indo-Pakistani War and the Hyderabad crisis, and as a result he never commanded an infantry battalion. He was promoted to the rank of brigadier while serving at the Military Operations Directorate.

Manekshaw rose to become the 8th Chief of Army Staff in 1969, after commanding troops at both division, corps and regional command levels. Under his command, Indian forces conducted victorious campaigns against Pakistan in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 that led to the creation of Bangladesh in December 1971. For his services, he was awarded the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan, the second and third highest civilian awards of India.