Colonel Prithipal Singh Gill (retired), the only officer to have served in the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, celebrated his 100th birthday on Friday. The retired officer served in World War II and the India-Pakistan war in 1965.
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Colonel Gill was born in 1920 in Patiala and went on to study at Government College in Lahore. He joined the Royal Air Force in 1942 and was commissioned as Pilot Officer. He then joined the Indian Navy and served on the high seas. Finally, he was designated as a Gunner Officer with the Indian Army. He retired as a Sector Commander with the Assam Rifles in Manipur.
Col Prithipal Singh Gill (retd.), the only officer to serve in Indian Air Force, Indian Navy, and Indian Army (Artillery), turns 100. He served during World War-II and the 1965 India-Pakistan War
(Photo source: Indian Army) pic.twitter.com/PxlFa8udlP
— ANI (@ANI) December 11, 2020
On the occasion of his 100th birthday, netizens wished the veteran on social media. Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh tweeted his wishes for the colonel. “Congratulate Col. Prithipal Singh Gill who turns 100 today. He bears the unique distinction of having served in all the three Armed Forces. Sir, wish you many more years of good health and may you continue to always inspire all of us.”
Congratulate Col. Prithipal Singh Gill who turns 100 today. He bears the unique distinction of having served in all the three Armed Forces. Sir, wish you many more years of good health and may you continue to always inspire all of us. @adgpi pic.twitter.com/jmIqeXdLB7
— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) December 11, 2020
Lieutenant General (retired) KJ Singh also wished Colonel Gill on Twitter telling the veteran officer’s exceptional military journey. “Col Prithipal Singh Gill (without family consent) joined the Royal Indian Air Force and was commissioned as Pilot Officer stationed at Karachi, flying Howard aircraft.” His Air Force career came to an end after his father forced him to leave due to safety concerns.
Brig Injoe Gakhal visited Col and Mrs Prithpal Singh at their residence in Chandigarh to felicitate the Centurion. Couple will be celebrating their 70th anniversary on 23rd. pic.twitter.com/zwzpLsI9zp
— Peeyush 🇮🇳 (@ColPeeyushAgg) December 11, 2020
Rarest of the rare military officer who served in all 03 services–Col Prithpal Singh turns 100 today
1. Pilot in Royal Indian Air Force
2. Got transfered by family to Royal Navy by family 'connections' as flying was then not considered as much safe
3. Took transfer to Army then pic.twitter.com/6H0lJE2EqT— Neeraj Rajput (@neeraj_rajput) December 11, 2020
Colonel Gill served in the Indian Navy on a mine-sweeping ship and INS Teer. He also served as a part of a navy escort team for cargo ships during World War II. In an interview with the Tribune in 2019, Colonel Gill said: “During World War II, I used to undertake escort duties for maritime convoys proceeding from the Indian mainland to the Persian Gulf.”
After that, he was trained at the School of Artillery in Devlali and went on to serve in the 1965 war. He was posted to Gwalior Mountain Battery. Colonel Gill had served in almost all theater commands, including Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, and the Northeast before he retired as Sector Commander in Imphal.
Pilot Officer Gill transferred 2 Indian Navy,served on a mine sweeping ship & INS Teer. Navy escort Ship for cargo ships during World War 2. As Naval Officer, Sub Lt Prithipal Singh qualified Long Gunnery Staff Course at School of Artillery, Devlali. 2/3
— Lt Gen Kamal Jit Singh (Veteran) (@kayjay34350) December 11, 2020
Reminiscing about his experience of the 1965 India Pakistan war, Colonel Gill told The Tribune that during the war, the Pakistanis had enveloped one of their gun batteries, but they went after it and got them back. “For a gunner, his guns are sacrosanct and revered and just cannot be given up,” he said.
Incidentally, Colonel Gill’s father, Harpal Singh, was also a veteran and served as a captain in the Army. Colonel Gill was introduced to Arjan Singh, the Indian Air Force icon who went on to become Marshal of the Air Force, through his father.
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