Ramaswamy Rajaram - Revision history

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← Older revision		Revision as of 08:25, 21 October 2022
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	\| honorific_prefix = [[Air Marshal (India)\|Air Marshal]]		\| honorific_prefix = [[Air Marshal (India)\|Air Marshal]]
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	==Early life and education==		==Early life and education==
	Rajaram was born to B S Ramaswamy Iyer, a Superintending Engineer with the Public Works Department (PWD) in [[Madurai]] in the [[Madras Presidency]] in 1917. He joined the [[Chennai International Airport#Madras Flying Club\|Madras Flying Club]] and received his flying license in 1935. He attended the [[Presidency College, Chennai]]. He then joined the [[Madras Law College]] in 1938. With the outbreak of [[World War II]], civilian pilots were invited to join the Indian Air Force Volunteer Reverse.{{citation needed\|date=July ~~2022~~}}		Rajaram was born to B S Ramaswamy Iyer, a Superintending Engineer with the Public Works Department (PWD) in [[Madurai]] in the [[Madras Presidency]] in 1917. He joined the [[Chennai International Airport#Madras Flying Club\|Madras Flying Club]] and received his flying license in 1935. He attended the [[Presidency College, Chennai]]. He then joined the [[Madras Law College]] in 1938. With the outbreak of [[World War II]], civilian pilots were invited to join the Indian Air Force Volunteer Reverse.{{citation needed\|date=July 2020}}

	==Military career==		==Military career==
	===World War II===		===World War II===
	{{Quote box\|width=300px\|bgcolor=#E0E6F8\|align=right\|quote="Rajaram was a very calm and humane person, with an incisive brain and a tremendous sense of humour. Extremely loyal and devoted to the service, he had a knack of getting on with all kinds of people, whatever their status in life. He was my troubleshooter."\|source=<ref>{{cite book \|title=Combat lore : Indian Air Force 1930-1945 \|isbn=978-9383649259\|last1=Sapru\|first1=S.\|year=~~2022~~}}</ref>\|title=His former Squadron Commander, [[Marshal of the Indian Air Force\|MIAF]] [[Arjan Singh]], about Rajaram. \|title_fnt = Arial \|tstyle = font size="25";}}		{{Quote box\|width=300px\|bgcolor=#E0E6F8\|align=right\|quote="Rajaram was a very calm and humane person, with an incisive brain and a tremendous sense of humour. Extremely loyal and devoted to the service, he had a knack of getting on with all kinds of people, whatever their status in life. He was my troubleshooter."\|source=<ref>{{cite book \|title=Combat lore : Indian Air Force 1930-1945 \|isbn=978-9383649259\|last1=Sapru\|first1=S.\|year=2014}}</ref>\|title=His former Squadron Commander, [[Marshal of the Indian Air Force\|MIAF]] [[Arjan Singh]], about Rajaram. \|title_fnt = Arial \|tstyle = font size="25";}}
	Rajaram was commissioned on 20 November 1939 and posted to the Coastal Defence Flight at [[Madras]]. He was then posted to the No. 4 Flight at [[Karachi]] and then to the No. 1 Flying Training School at [[Ambala]].		Rajaram was commissioned on 20 November 1939 and posted to the Coastal Defence Flight at [[Madras]]. He was then posted to the No. 4 Flight at [[Karachi]] and then to the No. 1 Flying Training School at [[Ambala]].
	By 1942, now [[Flying Officer]] Rajaram underwent specialised training in fighter reconnaissance and converted to the [[Hawker Hurricane]] aircraft. He served with the [[No. 6 Squadron IAF]] commanded by [[Squadron Leader]] [[Mehar Singh (pilot)\|Mehar Singh]] and then with the [[No. 1 Squadron IAF]], commanded by [[Squadron Leader]] [[Arjan Singh]], as the [[Flight commander]]. The squadron was inducted into the war and moved to [[Imphal]].<ref>{{cite book \|title=Combat lore : Indian Air Force 1930-1945 \|isbn=978-9383649259\|last1=Sapru\|first1=S.\|year=~~2022~~}}</ref>		By 1942, now [[Flying Officer]] Rajaram underwent specialised training in fighter reconnaissance and converted to the [[Hawker Hurricane]] aircraft. He served with the [[No. 6 Squadron IAF]] commanded by [[Squadron Leader]] [[Mehar Singh (pilot)\|Mehar Singh]] and then with the [[No. 1 Squadron IAF]], commanded by [[Squadron Leader]] [[Arjan Singh]], as the [[Flight commander]]. The squadron was inducted into the war and moved to [[Imphal]].<ref>{{cite book \|title=Combat lore : Indian Air Force 1930-1945 \|isbn=978-9383649259\|last1=Sapru\|first1=S.\|year=2014}}</ref>

	In December 1944, now Squadron Leader Rajaram took over command of the [[No. 1 Squadron IAF]] from Squadron Leader Arjan Singh. The squadron operated in the [[Burma campaign]] for the remainder of the war.		In December 1944, now Squadron Leader Rajaram took over command of the [[No. 1 Squadron IAF]] from Squadron Leader Arjan Singh. The squadron operated in the [[Burma campaign]] for the remainder of the war.
	In April 1945, Rajaram was awarded the [[Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)\|Distinguished Flying Cross]].<ref>{{cite web \|title=Supplement to the London gazette \|url=https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37036/supplement/2029 \|website=thegazette.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Database/Awards/awards.php?qaward=DFC\|title = Distinguished Flying Cross Awardee List, Indian Air Force - Database}}</ref> Promoted to [[Wing commander (rank)\|Wing Commander]], Rajaram served at the Air Force Station Kohat (now [[PAF Base Kohat]]).{{citation needed\|date=July ~~2022~~}}		In April 1945, Rajaram was awarded the [[Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)\|Distinguished Flying Cross]].<ref>{{cite web \|title=Supplement to the London gazette \|url=https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37036/supplement/2029 \|website=thegazette.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Database/Awards/awards.php?qaward=DFC\|title = Distinguished Flying Cross Awardee List, Indian Air Force - Database}}</ref> Promoted to [[Wing commander (rank)\|Wing Commander]], Rajaram served at the Air Force Station Kohat (now [[PAF Base Kohat]]).{{citation needed\|date=July 2020}}

	===Post-Independence===		===Post-Independence===
	In 1950, he was promoted [[Group captain (India)\|Group Captain]] and took command of [[Tambaram Air Force Station]]. Rajaram attended the [[RAF Staff College, Andover]] and the [[Imperial Defence College]] in the [[United Kingdom]] in 1953.<ref>{{cite book \|title=Combat lore : Indian Air Force 1930-1945 \|isbn=978-9383649259\|last1=Sapru\|first1=S.\|year=~~2022~~}}</ref> In December 1955, he was posted as Director of Personnel in Air HQ. After a three-year stint, he was promoted to the rank of [[Air commodore (India)\|air commodore]] and appointed Senior Air Staff Officer (SASO) of the Operational Command. In 1960, he was promoted to the rank of [[Air vice marshal (India)\|Air Vice Marshal]] and took over as the senior directing staff at the [[National Defence College (India)\|National Defence College]].		In 1950, he was promoted [[Group captain (India)\|Group Captain]] and took command of [[Tambaram Air Force Station]]. Rajaram attended the [[RAF Staff College, Andover]] and the [[Imperial Defence College]] in the [[United Kingdom]] in 1953.<ref>{{cite book \|title=Combat lore : Indian Air Force 1930-1945 \|isbn=978-9383649259\|last1=Sapru\|first1=S.\|year=2014}}</ref> In December 1955, he was posted as Director of Personnel in Air HQ. After a three-year stint, he was promoted to the rank of [[Air commodore (India)\|air commodore]] and appointed Senior Air Staff Officer (SASO) of the Operational Command. In 1960, he was promoted to the rank of [[Air vice marshal (India)\|Air Vice Marshal]] and took over as the senior directing staff at the [[National Defence College (India)\|National Defence College]].

	After the [[Sino-Indian War of 1962]], the No. 1 Operational Group was formed at [[Tezpur]] in December 1962. Rajaram was appointed the first Air Officer Commanding (AOC). In June 1963, the formation moved to Shillong and was re-designated [[Eastern Air Command (India)\|Eastern Air Command]]. The appointment of AOC was upgraded to Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C) and Rajaram took over as the first AOC-in-C of the command in Shillong. In Aug 1963, he moved to Air HQ, having been appointed [[Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (India)\|Deputy Chief of the Air Staff]] (DCAS). As the DCAS, he led the committee of inquiry into the [[1963 Poonch Indian Air Force helicopter crash]] in which five senior officers of the [[Indian Armed Forces]] were killed.<ref>{{cite web \|title=LOK SABHA DEBATES - SIXTH SESSION (THIRD LOK SABHA) \|url=https://eparlib.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/2997/1/lsd_03_06_27-11-1963.pdf \|website=eparlib.nic.in \|date=27 November 1963}}</ref>		After the [[Sino-Indian War of 1962]], the No. 1 Operational Group was formed at [[Tezpur]] in December 1962. Rajaram was appointed the first Air Officer Commanding (AOC). In June 1963, the formation moved to Shillong and was re-designated [[Eastern Air Command (India)\|Eastern Air Command]]. The appointment of AOC was upgraded to Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C) and Rajaram took over as the first AOC-in-C of the command in Shillong. In Aug 1963, he moved to Air HQ, having been appointed [[Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (India)\|Deputy Chief of the Air Staff]] (DCAS). As the DCAS, he led the committee of inquiry into the [[1963 Poonch Indian Air Force helicopter crash]] in which five senior officers of the [[Indian Armed Forces]] were killed.<ref>{{cite web \|title=LOK SABHA DEBATES - SIXTH SESSION (THIRD LOK SABHA) \|url=https://eparlib.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/2997/1/lsd_03_06_27-11-1963.pdf \|website=eparlib.nic.in \|date=27 November 1963}}</ref>

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2022-10-21T02:55:11Z

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← Older revision		Revision as of 08:25, 21 October 2022
Line 1:		Line 1:
	{{Use dmy dates\|date=July ~~2020~~}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=July 2022}}
	{{Use Indian English\|date=July ~~2020~~}}		{{Use Indian English\|date=July 2022}}
	{{Infobox military person		{{Infobox military person
	\| honorific_prefix = [[Air Marshal (India)\|Air Marshal]]		\| honorific_prefix = [[Air Marshal (India)\|Air Marshal]]
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	\| nickname =		\| nickname =
	\| allegiance = {{flag\|British India}} (1941–1947) <br />{{flag\|India}} (from 1947)		\| allegiance = {{flag\|British India}} (1941–1947) <br />{{flag\|India}} (from 1947)
	\| branch = {{air force\|British India}} (1941-1947) <br> {{air force\|India}}		\| branch = {{air force\|British India}} (1941-1947) <br /> {{air force\|India}}
	\| serviceyears = 1 Apr 1941 – 18 Jun 1969		\| serviceyears = 1 Apr 1941 – 18 Jun 1969
	\| rank = [[File:India-AirForce-OF-8-collected.svg\|30px]] [[Air Marshal (India)\|Air Marshal]]		\| rank = [[File:India-AirForce-OF-8-collected.svg\|30px]] [[Air Marshal (India)\|Air Marshal]]
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	}}		}}

	[[Air Marshal (India)\|Air Marshal]] '''Ramaswamy Rajaram''', [[Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)\|DFC]] (~~1917-1969~~) was a senior officer in the [[Indian Air Force]]. He died in harness while serving as the [[Vice Chief of the Air Staff (India)\|Vice Chief of Air Staff]] (VCAS) of the Indian Air Force. He was the [[Air Officer Commanding\|Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief]] [[Western Air Command (India)\|Western Air Command]] during the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]].		[[Air Marshal (India)\|Air Marshal]] '''Ramaswamy Rajaram''', [[Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)\|DFC]] (1917–1969) was a senior officer in the [[Indian Air Force]]. He died in harness while serving as the [[Vice Chief of the Air Staff (India)\|Vice Chief of Air Staff]] (VCAS) of the Indian Air Force. He was the [[Air Officer Commanding\|Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief]] [[Western Air Command (India)\|Western Air Command]] during the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]].

	==Early life and education==		==Early life and education==
	Rajaram was born to B S Ramaswamy Iyer, a Superintending Engineer with the Public Works Department (PWD) in [[Madurai]] in the [[Madras Presidency]] in 1917. He joined the [[~~Chennai_International_Airport~~#~~Madras_Flying_Club~~\|Madras Flying Club]] and received his flying license in 1935. He attended the [[Presidency College, Chennai]]. He then joined the [[Madras Law College]] in 1938. With the outbreak of [[World War II]], civilian pilots were invited to join the Indian Air Force Volunteer Reverse.{{~~fact~~\|date=July ~~2020~~}}		Rajaram was born to B S Ramaswamy Iyer, a Superintending Engineer with the Public Works Department (PWD) in [[Madurai]] in the [[Madras Presidency]] in 1917. He joined the [[Chennai International Airport#Madras Flying Club\|Madras Flying Club]] and received his flying license in 1935. He attended the [[Presidency College, Chennai]]. He then joined the [[Madras Law College]] in 1938. With the outbreak of [[World War II]], civilian pilots were invited to join the Indian Air Force Volunteer Reverse.{{citation needed\|date=July 2022}}

	==Military career==		==Military career==
	===World War II===		===World War II===
	{{Quote box\|width=300px\|bgcolor=#E0E6F8\|align=right\|quote="Rajaram was a very calm and humane person, with an incisive brain and a tremendous sense of humour. Extremely loyal and devoted to the service, he had a knack of getting on with all kinds of people, whatever their status in life. He was my troubleshooter."\|source=<ref>{{cite book \|title=Combat lore : Indian Air Force 1930-1945 \|isbn=978-9383649259\|last1=Sapru\|first1=S.\|year=~~2014~~}}</ref>\|title=His former Squadron Commander, [[Marshal of the Indian Air Force\|MIAF]] [[Arjan Singh]], about Rajaram. \|title_fnt = Arial \|tstyle = font size="25";}}		{{Quote box\|width=300px\|bgcolor=#E0E6F8\|align=right\|quote="Rajaram was a very calm and humane person, with an incisive brain and a tremendous sense of humour. Extremely loyal and devoted to the service, he had a knack of getting on with all kinds of people, whatever their status in life. He was my troubleshooter."\|source=<ref>{{cite book \|title=Combat lore : Indian Air Force 1930-1945 \|isbn=978-9383649259\|last1=Sapru\|first1=S.\|year=2022}}</ref>\|title=His former Squadron Commander, [[Marshal of the Indian Air Force\|MIAF]] [[Arjan Singh]], about Rajaram. \|title_fnt = Arial \|tstyle = font size="25";}}
	Rajaram was commissioned on 20 November 1939 and posted to the Coastal Defence Flight at [[Madras]]. He was then posted to the No. 4 Flight at [[Karachi]] and then to the No. 1 Flying Training School at [[Ambala]].		Rajaram was commissioned on 20 November 1939 and posted to the Coastal Defence Flight at [[Madras]]. He was then posted to the No. 4 Flight at [[Karachi]] and then to the No. 1 Flying Training School at [[Ambala]].
	By 1942, now [[Flying Officer]] Rajaram underwent specialised training in fighter reconnaissance and converted to the [[Hawker Hurricane]] aircraft. He served with the [[No. 6 Squadron IAF]] commanded by [[Squadron Leader]] [[Mehar Singh (pilot)\|Mehar Singh]] and then with the [[No. 1 Squadron IAF]], commanded by [[Squadron Leader]] [[Arjan Singh]], as the [[Flight commander]]. The squadron was inducted into the war and moved to [[Imphal]].<ref>{{cite book \|title=Combat lore : Indian Air Force 1930-1945 \|isbn=978-9383649259\|last1=Sapru\|first1=S.\|year=~~2014~~}}</ref>		By 1942, now [[Flying Officer]] Rajaram underwent specialised training in fighter reconnaissance and converted to the [[Hawker Hurricane]] aircraft. He served with the [[No. 6 Squadron IAF]] commanded by [[Squadron Leader]] [[Mehar Singh (pilot)\|Mehar Singh]] and then with the [[No. 1 Squadron IAF]], commanded by [[Squadron Leader]] [[Arjan Singh]], as the [[Flight commander]]. The squadron was inducted into the war and moved to [[Imphal]].<ref>{{cite book \|title=Combat lore : Indian Air Force 1930-1945 \|isbn=978-9383649259\|last1=Sapru\|first1=S.\|year=2022}}</ref>

	In December 1944, now Squadron Leader Rajaram took over command of the [[No. 1 Squadron IAF]] from Squadron Leader Arjan Singh. The squadron operated in the [[Burma campaign]] for the remainder of the war.		In December 1944, now Squadron Leader Rajaram took over command of the [[No. 1 Squadron IAF]] from Squadron Leader Arjan Singh. The squadron operated in the [[Burma campaign]] for the remainder of the war.
	In April 1945, Rajaram was awarded the [[Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)\|Distinguished Flying Cross]].<ref>{{cite web \|title=Supplement to the London gazette \|url=https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37036/supplement/2029 \|website=thegazette.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Database/Awards/awards.php?qaward=DFC\|title = Distinguished Flying Cross Awardee List , Indian Air Force - Database}}</ref> Promoted to [[Wing commander (rank)\|Wing Commander]], Rajaram served at the Air Force Station Kohat (now [[PAF Base Kohat]]).{{~~fact~~\|date=July ~~2020~~}}		In April 1945, Rajaram was awarded the [[Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)\|Distinguished Flying Cross]].<ref>{{cite web \|title=Supplement to the London gazette \|url=https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37036/supplement/2029 \|website=thegazette.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Database/Awards/awards.php?qaward=DFC\|title = Distinguished Flying Cross Awardee List, Indian Air Force - Database}}</ref> Promoted to [[Wing commander (rank)\|Wing Commander]], Rajaram served at the Air Force Station Kohat (now [[PAF Base Kohat]]).{{citation needed\|date=July 2022}}

	===Post-Independence===		===Post-Independence===
	In 1950, he was promoted [[Group captain (India)\|Group Captain]] and took command of [[Tambaram Air Force Station]]. Rajaram attended the [[RAF Staff College, Andover]] and the [[Imperial Defence College]] in the [[United Kingdom]] in 1953.<ref>{{cite book \|title=Combat lore : Indian Air Force 1930-1945 \|isbn=978-9383649259\|last1=Sapru\|first1=S.\|year=~~2014~~}}</ref> In December 1955, he was posted as Director of Personnel in Air HQ. After a three-year stint, he was promoted to the rank of [[Air commodore (India)\|air commodore]] and appointed Senior Air Staff Officer (SASO) of the Operational Command. In 1960, he was promoted to the rank of [[Air vice marshal (India)\|Air Vice Marshal]] and took over as the senior directing staff at the [[National Defence College (India)\|National Defence College]].		In 1950, he was promoted [[Group captain (India)\|Group Captain]] and took command of [[Tambaram Air Force Station]]. Rajaram attended the [[RAF Staff College, Andover]] and the [[Imperial Defence College]] in the [[United Kingdom]] in 1953.<ref>{{cite book \|title=Combat lore : Indian Air Force 1930-1945 \|isbn=978-9383649259\|last1=Sapru\|first1=S.\|year=2022}}</ref> In December 1955, he was posted as Director of Personnel in Air HQ. After a three-year stint, he was promoted to the rank of [[Air commodore (India)\|air commodore]] and appointed Senior Air Staff Officer (SASO) of the Operational Command. In 1960, he was promoted to the rank of [[Air vice marshal (India)\|Air Vice Marshal]] and took over as the senior directing staff at the [[National Defence College (India)\|National Defence College]].

	After the [[Sino-Indian War of 1962]], the No. 1 Operational Group was formed at [[Tezpur]] in December 1962. Rajaram was appointed the first Air Officer Commanding (AOC). In June 1963, the formation moved to Shillong and was re-designated [[Eastern Air Command (India)\|Eastern Air Command]]. The appointment of AOC was upgraded to Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C) and Rajaram took over as the first AOC-in-C of the command in Shillong. In Aug 1963, he moved to Air HQ, having been appointed Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (DCAS). As the DCAS, he led the committee of inquiry into the [[1963 Poonch Indian Air Force helicopter crash]] in which five senior officers of the [[Indian Armed Forces]] were killed.<ref>{{cite web \|title=LOK SABHA DEBATES - SIXTH SESSION (THIRD LOK SABHA) \|url=https://eparlib.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/2997/1/lsd_03_06_27-11-1963.pdf \|website=eparlib.nic.in \|date=27 November 1963}}</ref>		After the [[Sino-Indian War of 1962]], the No. 1 Operational Group was formed at [[Tezpur]] in December 1962. Rajaram was appointed the first Air Officer Commanding (AOC). In June 1963, the formation moved to Shillong and was re-designated [[Eastern Air Command (India)\|Eastern Air Command]]. The appointment of AOC was upgraded to Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C) and Rajaram took over as the first AOC-in-C of the command in Shillong. In Aug 1963, he moved to Air HQ, having been appointed [[Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (India)\|Deputy Chief of the Air Staff]] (DCAS). As the DCAS, he led the committee of inquiry into the [[1963 Poonch Indian Air Force helicopter crash]] in which five senior officers of the [[Indian Armed Forces]] were killed.<ref>{{cite web \|title=LOK SABHA DEBATES - SIXTH SESSION (THIRD LOK SABHA) \|url=https://eparlib.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/2997/1/lsd_03_06_27-11-1963.pdf \|website=eparlib.nic.in \|date=27 November 1963}}</ref>

	On 1 October 1964, Rajaram was appointed [[Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Air Command]].<ref>{{cite web \|title=Service Record for Air Marshal Ramaswami Rajaram 1573 GD(P) at Bharat Rakshak.com \|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Database/1573 \|website=Bharat Rakshak \|language=en-gb}}</ref> He led the [[Indian Air Force]]'s operations in the Western theatre during the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]]. He was awarded the [[Padma Bhushan]] for his leadership in the war.<ref>{{cite web \|title=WebCite query result \|url=http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/LST-PDAWD-2013.pdf \|archive-url=https://~~www~~.~~webcitation~~.org/~~6U68ulwpb?url=~~http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/LST-PDAWD-2013.pdf \|url-status=dead \|archive-date=~~2014~~-11-15 \|website=www.webcitation.org}}</ref>		On 1 October 1964, Rajaram was appointed [[Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Air Command]].<ref>{{cite web \|title=Service Record for Air Marshal Ramaswami Rajaram 1573 GD(P) at Bharat Rakshak.com \|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Database/1573 \|website=Bharat Rakshak \|language=en-gb}}</ref> He led the [[Indian Air Force]]'s operations in the Western theatre during the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]]. He was awarded the [[Padma Bhushan]] for his leadership in the war.<ref>{{cite web \|title=WebCite query result \|url=http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/LST-PDAWD-2013.pdf \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151015193758/http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/LST-PDAWD-2013.pdf \|url-status=dead \|archive-date=2015-10-15 \|website=www.webcitation.org}}</ref>

	After the war, Rajaram was promoted [[Air Marshal (India)\|Air Marshal]] in January 1966, and took over as the first [[Commandant of the National Defence College]] from the Indian Air Force.<ref>{{cite web \|title=AVM RAJARAM NEW COMMANDANT OF NDC \|url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1966-JAN-JUNE-MIN-OF-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1966-01-10_034.pdf \|website=pibarchive.nic.in \|date=10 January 1966}}</ref> After a short stint as Commandant NDC, he assumed office of the [[Vice Chief of the Air Staff (India)\|Vice Chief of Air Staff]] (VCAS) in December 1966.		After the war, Rajaram was promoted [[Air Marshal (India)\|Air Marshal]] in January 1966, and took over as the first [[Commandant of the National Defence College]] from the Indian Air Force.<ref>{{cite web \|title=AVM RAJARAM NEW COMMANDANT OF NDC \|url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1966-JAN-JUNE-MIN-OF-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1966-01-10_034.pdf \|website=pibarchive.nic.in \|date=10 January 1966}}</ref> After a short stint as Commandant NDC, he assumed office of the [[Vice Chief of the Air Staff (India)\|Vice Chief of Air Staff]] (VCAS) in December 1966.
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	{{s-ttl\|title=[[Commandant of the National Defence College]]\|years=1966–1966}}		{{s-ttl\|title=[[Commandant of the National Defence College]]\|years=1966–1966}}
	{{s-aft\|after=[[Lieutenant General]] M M Khanna}}		{{s-aft\|after=[[Lieutenant General]] M M Khanna}}
	{{s-bef\| before = [[Arjan Singh]]}}		{{s-bef\| rows=2\| before = [[Arjan Singh]]}}
			{{s-ttl\| title = [[Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (India)\|Deputy Chief of the Air Staff]]\| years = 1963–1964}}
			{{s-aft\| after = [[Minoo Merwan Engineer]]}}
	{{s-ttl\| title = [[Commanding Officer]] [[No. 1 Squadron IAF]]\| years = 1944–1945}}		{{s-ttl\| title = [[Commanding Officer]] [[No. 1 Squadron IAF]]\| years = 1944–1945}}
	{{s-aft\| after = Edwin Nazirullah}}		{{s-aft\| after = Edwin Nazirullah}}
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	[[Category:Indian Air Force officers]]		[[Category:Indian Air Force officers]]
	[[Category:Alumni of the Royal College of Defence Studies]]		[[Category:Alumni of the Royal College of Defence Studies]]
	[[Category:~~People~~ of ~~British India~~]]		[[Category:Indian recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)]]

->Johnpacklambert: added Category:People of British India using HotCat

2021-11-23T18:18:41Z

added Category:People of British India using HotCat

New page

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2020}}
{{Infobox military person
| honorific_prefix = [[Air Marshal (India)|Air Marshal]]
| name = Ramaswami Rajaram
| birth_name =
| honorific_suffix = [[Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)|DFC]]
| birth_date =
| death_date =
| birth_place =
| death_place =
| placeofburial =
| image = File:AM R Rajaram.jpg
| caption =
| nickname =
| allegiance = {{flag|British India}} (1941–1947) {{flag|India}} (from 1947)
| branch = {{air force|British India}} (1941-1947) {{air force|India}}
| serviceyears = 1 Apr 1941 – 18 Jun 1969
| rank = [[File:India-AirForce-OF-8-collected.svg|30px]] [[Air Marshal (India)|Air Marshal]]
| commands = [[Western Air Command (India)|Western Air Command]] [[Eastern Air Command (India)|Eastern Air Command]] No.1 Operational Group [[Tambaram Air Force Station]] 3 Wing [[No. 1 Squadron IAF|No 1 Squadron]]
| battles =
| awards = [[Padma Bhushan]] [[Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)|Distinguished Flying Cross]]
| relations =
| spouse =
| laterwork =
| religion =
}}

[[Air Marshal (India)|Air Marshal]] '''Ramaswamy Rajaram''', [[Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)|DFC]] (1917-1969) was a senior officer in the [[Indian Air Force]]. He died in harness while serving as the [[Vice Chief of the Air Staff (India)|Vice Chief of Air Staff]] (VCAS) of the Indian Air Force. He was the [[Air Officer Commanding|Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief]] [[Western Air Command (India)|Western Air Command]] during the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]].

==Early life and education==
Rajaram was born to B S Ramaswamy Iyer, a Superintending Engineer with the Public Works Department (PWD) in [[Madurai]] in the [[Madras Presidency]] in 1917. He joined the [[Chennai_International_Airport#Madras_Flying_Club|Madras Flying Club]] and received his flying license in 1935. He attended the [[Presidency College, Chennai]]. He then joined the [[Madras Law College]] in 1938. With the outbreak of [[World War II]], civilian pilots were invited to join the Indian Air Force Volunteer Reverse.{{fact|date=July 2020}}

==Military career==
===World War II===
{{Quote box|width=300px|bgcolor=#E0E6F8|align=right|quote="Rajaram was a very calm and humane person, with an incisive brain and a tremendous sense of humour. Extremely loyal and devoted to the service, he had a knack of getting on with all kinds of people, whatever their status in life. He was my troubleshooter."|source=<ref>{{cite book |title=Combat lore : Indian Air Force 1930-1945 |isbn=978-9383649259|last1=Sapru|first1=S.|year=2014}}</ref>|title=His former Squadron Commander, [[Marshal of the Indian Air Force|MIAF]] [[Arjan Singh]], about Rajaram. |title_fnt = Arial |tstyle = font size="25";}}
Rajaram was commissioned on 20 November 1939 and posted to the Coastal Defence Flight at [[Madras]]. He was then posted to the No. 4 Flight at [[Karachi]] and then to the No. 1 Flying Training School at [[Ambala]].
By 1942, now [[Flying Officer]] Rajaram underwent specialised training in fighter reconnaissance and converted to the [[Hawker Hurricane]] aircraft. He served with the [[No. 6 Squadron IAF]] commanded by [[Squadron Leader]] [[Mehar Singh (pilot)|Mehar Singh]] and then with the [[No. 1 Squadron IAF]], commanded by [[Squadron Leader]] [[Arjan Singh]], as the [[Flight commander]]. The squadron was inducted into the war and moved to [[Imphal]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Combat lore : Indian Air Force 1930-1945 |isbn=978-9383649259|last1=Sapru|first1=S.|year=2014}}</ref>

In December 1944, now Squadron Leader Rajaram took over command of the [[No. 1 Squadron IAF]] from Squadron Leader Arjan Singh. The squadron operated in the [[Burma campaign]] for the remainder of the war.
In April 1945, Rajaram was awarded the [[Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)|Distinguished Flying Cross]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Supplement to the London gazette |url=https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37036/supplement/2029 |website=thegazette.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Database/Awards/awards.php?qaward=DFC|title = Distinguished Flying Cross Awardee List , Indian Air Force - Database}}</ref> Promoted to [[Wing commander (rank)|Wing Commander]], Rajaram served at the Air Force Station Kohat (now [[PAF Base Kohat]]).{{fact|date=July 2020}}

===Post-Independence===
In 1950, he was promoted [[Group captain (India)|Group Captain]] and took command of [[Tambaram Air Force Station]]. Rajaram attended the [[RAF Staff College, Andover]] and the [[Imperial Defence College]] in the [[United Kingdom]] in 1953.<ref>{{cite book |title=Combat lore : Indian Air Force 1930-1945 |isbn=978-9383649259|last1=Sapru|first1=S.|year=2014}}</ref> In December 1955, he was posted as Director of Personnel in Air HQ. After a three-year stint, he was promoted to the rank of [[Air commodore (India)|air commodore]] and appointed Senior Air Staff Officer (SASO) of the Operational Command. In 1960, he was promoted to the rank of [[Air vice marshal (India)|Air Vice Marshal]] and took over as the senior directing staff at the [[National Defence College (India)|National Defence College]].

After the [[Sino-Indian War of 1962]], the No. 1 Operational Group was formed at [[Tezpur]] in December 1962. Rajaram was appointed the first Air Officer Commanding (AOC). In June 1963, the formation moved to Shillong and was re-designated [[Eastern Air Command (India)|Eastern Air Command]]. The appointment of AOC was upgraded to Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C) and Rajaram took over as the first AOC-in-C of the command in Shillong. In Aug 1963, he moved to Air HQ, having been appointed Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (DCAS). As the DCAS, he led the committee of inquiry into the [[1963 Poonch Indian Air Force helicopter crash]] in which five senior officers of the [[Indian Armed Forces]] were killed.<ref>{{cite web |title=LOK SABHA DEBATES - SIXTH SESSION (THIRD LOK SABHA) |url=https://eparlib.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/2997/1/lsd_03_06_27-11-1963.pdf |website=eparlib.nic.in |date=27 November 1963}}</ref>

On 1 October 1964, Rajaram was appointed [[Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Air Command]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Service Record for Air Marshal Ramaswami Rajaram 1573 GD(P) at Bharat Rakshak.com |url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Database/1573 |website=Bharat Rakshak |language=en-gb}}</ref> He led the [[Indian Air Force]]'s operations in the Western theatre during the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]]. He was awarded the [[Padma Bhushan]] for his leadership in the war.<ref>{{cite web |title=WebCite query result |url=http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/LST-PDAWD-2013.pdf |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6U68ulwpb?url=http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/LST-PDAWD-2013.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=2014-11-15 |website=www.webcitation.org}}</ref>

After the war, Rajaram was promoted [[Air Marshal (India)|Air Marshal]] in January 1966, and took over as the first [[Commandant of the National Defence College]] from the Indian Air Force.<ref>{{cite web |title=AVM RAJARAM NEW COMMANDANT OF NDC |url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1966-JAN-JUNE-MIN-OF-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1966-01-10_034.pdf |website=pibarchive.nic.in |date=10 January 1966}}</ref> After a short stint as Commandant NDC, he assumed office of the [[Vice Chief of the Air Staff (India)|Vice Chief of Air Staff]] (VCAS) in December 1966.

==Death and legacy==
Rajaram was suffering from [[Leukemia]]. He was admitted to the Military Hospital in New Delhi on 14 June 1969 and his condition worsened on 16 June.<ref>{{cite web |title=VICE AIR CHIEF SERIOUSLY ILL |url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1969-JAN-JUNE-MIN-OF-DEFENCE-VOLK-I/PDF/DEF-1969-06-16_246.pdf |website=pibarchive.nic.in |date=16 June 1969}}</ref> He died on 18 June at 0855 hours. The [[Chief of the Air Staff (India)|Chief of the Air Staff]] [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]] [[Arjan Singh]] was present when he died.
He was cremated with full military honours. His body was carried in a procession from the residence of the Vice Chief at No.6, King George's Avenue (now Rajaji Marg) to the [[Nigambodh Ghat]]. All IAF installations in [[Delhi]] were closed on the day as a mark of respect.<ref name="PIB Obit">{{cite web |title=AIR MARSHAL RAJARAM DEAD |url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1969-JAN-JUNE-MIN-OF-DEFENCE-VOLK-I/PDF/DEF-1969-06-08_250.pdf |website=pibarchive.nic.in |date=18 June 1969}}</ref> In 1973, the All India Lawn Tennis Association instituted the Air Marshal Rajaram All India Sub-Junior Tennis Trophy in his memory.<ref>{{cite web |title=AIR MARSHAL RAJARAM TROPHY INSTITUTED |url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1973-JAN-MAY-MIN-OF-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1973-01-09_013.pdf |website=pibarchive.nic.in |date=9 January 1973}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-mil}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Pratap Chandra Lal]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Vice Chief of the Air Staff (India)|Vice Chief of the Air Staff]]|years=1966–1969}}
{{s-aft|after=Shivdev Singh}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Vice Admiral (India)|Vice Admiral]] [[Adhar Kumar Chatterji]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Commandant of the National Defence College]]|years=1966–1966}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Lieutenant General]] M M Khanna}}
{{s-bef| before = [[Arjan Singh]]}}
{{s-ttl| title = [[Commanding Officer]] [[No. 1 Squadron IAF]]| years = 1944–1945}}
{{s-aft| after = Edwin Nazirullah}}
{{s-end}}

{{Indo-Pakistani War of 1965}}
{{PadmaBhushanAwardRecipients 1960–69}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rajaram, Ramaswamy}}
[[Category:Indian Air Force air marshals]]
[[Category:Vice Chiefs of Air Staff (India)]]
[[Category:Commandants of National Defence College, India]]
[[Category:1917 births]]
[[Category:1969 deaths]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Bhushan in civil service]]
[[Category:Deaths from leukemia]]
[[Category:Indian Air Force officers]]
[[Category:Alumni of the Royal College of Defence Studies]]
[[Category:People of British India]]