Army Day 2021: Know about KM Cariappa – the First Indian to be appointed as Commander-in-Chief of Indian Army

Image Source : TWITTER@ADGPI KM Cariappa – the First Indian to be appointed as Commander-in-Chief of Indian Army
Army Day marks the day when Lt Gen KM Carriappa turned the primary Indian appointed as Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army. It was again in January 15, 1949, when Carriappa took over as commander-in-chief of the Indian Army from General Francis Butcher, the final British commander-in-chief of India. Apart from that, the day additionally noticed to rejoice the valor and honour these troopers who’ve sacrificed their lives for India.

Who was KM Cariappa?

Field Marshal Sir Kodandera “Kipper” Madappa Cariappa was the primary officer of the Indian Army to carry a five-star rank. He had led his troops within the World War II and the primary Indo-Pak warfare of 1947. He obtained army coaching throughout World War I (1914-18). 

Cariappa was among the many first Indians to be chosen for the army coaching. Following his coaching in Indore, he joined the British Indian Army shortly after the tip of World War I. Later he was commissioned into the Carnatic Infantry. 

READ MORE: Army Day 2021: Why January 15 is well known as Army Day in India? Significance and historical past

Before taking up because the C-in-C of the Indian Army, Cariappa served because the commander of the Indian Army’s Eastern and Western Commands.

He has additionally conferred the ‘Order of the Chief Commander of the Legion of Merit’ – the first-ever award of its type given to an Indian General, by President Harry Truman

In 1983, he was given the title of Field Marshal (5 stars). The solely different one that has been conferred the title up to now is Field Marshall Sam Manekshaw in 1973.

After retiring from the Indian Army, Field Marshall KM Cariappa served as High Commissioner to Australia and New Zealand until 1956.

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