The 1965 Indo-Pak War: Brigadier Hari Singh Deora, AVSM

Born on 24 October 1922, Hari Singh Deora was educated at the Bhupal Nobles School in Udaipur. He enrolled in the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in February 1942 and was commissioned a mere eight months later, into the Indian Army. He then proceeded to the Middle East in 1944 and was stationed in Iran (then Persia), Iraq, Palestine (now Israel), Syria, Egypt and Lebanon. After the end of the Second World War, he went to England in 1946 for further military training. He was selected to be an instructor at the IMA in 1948 and he served there for two years. He was then appointed as the ADC (Aide-De-Camp) to the General Officer Commanding 19th Infantry Division in Srinagar, Kashmir. He joined the 18th Cavalry in 1951 and was selected as an instructor at the Armored Corps Centre & School at Ahmednagar, Maharashtra and served in that capacity till 1957. In 1959, he was posted to the 62nd Infantry Brigade Headquarters and took active part in military operations at the Sela Pass, during the 1962 Indo-China War.

He later took over command of the 18th Cavalry in 1962 and was the Commanding Officer of the unit during the Indo-Pak War of 1965. He was awarded Mention-in-Despatches for gallantry during these operations, in the Sialkot Sector. He was promoted to the rank of Colonel in 1967 and was appointed Deputy Commander of the 1st Armoured Brigade at Patiala. He was promoted to Brigadier in 1969 and was posted as the Commanding Officer of the 5th Mountain Brigade in Arunachal Pradesh, an appointment which he held till 1973. He was awarded the AVSM (Ati Vishisht Seva Medal) by President Varahagiri Venkata Giri, for having rendered distinguished service of the exceptional order while in command of the brigade. He subsequently commanded the Pathankot Sub Area and retired from active service in 1974. He was appointed as the Secretary of the Rajasthan Soldier's Board in 1975 and remained in that appointment till 1980. He passed away on 14 March 2003.

Images © Brigadier H S Deora