Lakshman Madhav Katre: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Indian aviator and air marshal}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2017}}
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|honorific_prefix = [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]]
|honorific_prefix = [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]]
|honorific_suffix = [[Param Vishisht Seva Medal|PVSM]], [[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal|AVSM]] [[Medal bar|**]]  
|honorific_suffix = [[Param Vishisht Seva Medal|PVSM]], [[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal|AVSM]] [[Medal bar|**]]  
|birth_date= 10 March 1926
|birth_date= 26 January 1927<ref name="IAF">{{Cite web|author=|url=https://indianairforce.nic.in/air-chief-marshal-lakshman-madhav-katre-pvsm-avsm-and-bar-cas/|title=Air Chief Marshal Lakshman Madhav Katre|publisher=Indian Air Force}}</ref>
|death_date={{Death date and age|1985|06|30|1926|3|10|df=yes}}
|death_date={{Death date and age|1985|07|1|1927|1|26|df=yes}}
|birth_place= [[Gurdaspur district]] [[Punjab (India)|Punjab]]
|birth_place= [[Madras]]
|death_place= Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India   
|death_place= Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India   
|caption=  
|caption=  
|nickname=
|nickname=
|allegiance=[[India]]
|allegiance = {{flag|British India}} (1946–1947)<br/>{{flag|India}} (from 1947)
|serviceyears=
|branch = {{air force|British India}}<br/>{{air force|India}}
|serviceyears= 1946–1985
|rank= [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]]
|rank= [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]]
|branch= [[Indian Air Force]]
|commands=
|commands=
|unit=
|unit=
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|awards= [[Param Vishist Seva Medal]]<br>[[Ati Vishist Seva Medal]]
|awards= [[Param Vishist Seva Medal]]<br>[[Ati Vishist Seva Medal]]
|laterwork=
|laterwork=
|module = {{infobox officeholder|embed=yes
|order              = 12th
|office              = Chief of the Air Staff (India){{!}}Chief of the Air Staff
|term_start          = 4 September 1984
|term_end            = 1 July 1985
|predecessor        = [[Dilbagh Singh]]
|successor          = [[Denis La Fontaine]]
}}
}}
}}
[[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]] '''Lakshman Madhav Katre''', [[Param Vishisht Seva Medal|PVSM]], [[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal|AVSM]] [[Medal Bar|and Bar]] (1927–1985) was the head of the [[Indian Air Force]] (IAF) from 1984 to 1985, as [[Chief of the Air Staff (India)|Chief of the Air Staff]] and the second IAF Chief of Staff to die in harness. He was awarded the [[Param Vishisht Seva Medal]] and [[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal]] and Bar.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Database/Awards/awards.php?cur=50&qyear=all&qaward=1VSM&qunit=all |title=Indian Air Force Gallantry & Service Awards Register [www.bharat-rakshak.com&#93; |publisher=Bharat-rakshak.com |date= |accessdate=2012-03-26}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Personnel/Chiefs/262-LM-Katre.html |title=Indian Air Force :: Lakshman Mohan Katre |publisher=Bharat-rakshak.com |date= |accessdate=2012-03-26 |archive-date=8 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120208155054/http://bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Personnel/Chiefs/262-LM-Katre.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
He hailed from the [[Konkani people|Konkani community]]<ref name="Daiji World">{{cite news |last= |first= |date=16 December 2022|title=Mangaluru: Portraits of three Indian defence heroes unveiled at World Konkani Centre|url=https://daijiworld.com/news/newsDisplay?newsID=1030161|newspaper=Daiji World|access-date= 24 December 2024}}</ref> and completed his schooling from [[The Doon School]], Dehradun, India.<ref name="LM Katre Memorial Lecture">{{cite news|last=Hindu|first=The|title=LM Katre Memorial Lecture|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/article1698134.ece|accessdate=2012-10-19|newspaper=The Hindu|date=2011-04-15}}</ref> He joined the Royal Indian Air Force on 3 Aug 1944 as an officer cadet and was granted an emergency commission in the General Duties (Pilot) branch on 9 Apr 1945.<ref name="IAF"/>
In his career in the lAF, he commanded with distinction squadrons, stations and the [[Air Force Academy (India)|Air Force Academy]]. During the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]], he successfully conducted uninterrupted operations from one of the most forward airfields, which was regularly attacked by the [[Pakistan Air Force]]. This was due to his meticulous planning.


[[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]] '''Lakshman Madhav Katre''', [[Param Vishisht Seva Medal|PVSM]], [[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal|AVSM]] [[Medal Bar|and Bar]] (1926-1985) was the head of the [[Indian Air Force]] from 1984 to 1985, as [[Chief of the Air Staff (India)|Chief of the Air Staff]] —and the second IAF Chief of Staff to die in— harness. He was awarded the [[Param Vishisht Seva Medal]] and [[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal]] and Bar.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Database/Awards/awards.php?cur=50&qyear=all&qaward=1VSM&qunit=all |title=Indian Air Force Gallantry & Service Awards Register [www.bharat-rakshak.com&#93; |publisher=Bharat-rakshak.com |date= |accessdate=2012-03-26}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Personnel/Chiefs/262-LM-Katre.html |title=Indian Air Force :: Lakshman Mohan Katre |publisher=Bharat-rakshak.com |date= |accessdate=2012-03-26}}</ref> He completed his schooling from [[The Doon School]], Dehradun, India.<ref name="LM Katre Memorial Lecture">{{cite news|last=Hindu|first=The|title=LM Katre Memorial Lecture|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/article1698134.ece|accessdate=2012-10-19|newspaper=The Hindu|date=2011-04-15}}</ref>
As the Commandant of the Air Force Academy at [[Dundigal]], he expanded the facilities to cater for the training of ground duty officers. Flying activity at the base was successfully reoriented for advance training on jet aircraft and a safety record was achieved during his tenure. On completion of a [[Royal College of Defence Studies]] course in [[England]] in 1976, he was appointed Senior Air Staff officer of a major air command. Under his direction, the operational effectiveness of the forces in the command increased greatly. With his wide experience of fighter flying, he was able to conduct various air exercises which simulated realistic battle conditions.
In his career in the lAF, he has commanded with distinction Operational Squadrons and Squadrons and stations and the Air Force Academy. During 1971 war he successfully conducted uninterrupted operations from one of our most forward airfields and one, which was regularly attacked by the P AF. This was due to his meticulous planning.


As the Commandant of the [[Air Force Academy (India)|Air Force Academy]] at [[Dundigal]], he expanded the facilities to cater for the training of Ground duty officers. Flying activity at the base was successfully reoriented for advance training on jet aircraft and safety record achieved during his tenure. On completion of the [[Royal College of Defence Studies]] Course in [[England]] in 1976, he was appointed Senior Air Staff officer of a major Air Command. Under his direction, the operational effectiveness of the forces in the command increased manifold. With his wide experience of fighter flying he was able to conduct various air exercises which simulated realistic battle conditions.
In 1983, he also served as the Chairman of [[Hindustan Aeronautics Limited]].<ref name="India Today">{{cite news |last= |first= |date=29 April 2012|title=Taliban threat from Af-Pak real: Air Force chief|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/south/story/taliban-threat-from-af-pak-region-real-air-chief-marshal-nak-browne-100537-2012-04-28|newspaper=India Today|access-date= 24 December 2024}}</ref>


The Katre House in [[The Air Force School]] ( Subroto Park)  has been named after him.
He died suddenly while still serving, on 1 July 1985.


He died suddenly while in service, on 01 Jul 1985 at 1015 hrs.
The Katre House in [[The Air Force School]] (Subroto Park) was named after him.


==Military Honours and Awards==
The Air Force Association, Karnataka Branch, hosts an annual Air Chief Marshal L.M. Katre Memorial Lecture in Bangalore.  The 16th edition of this lecture was given in August 2025 by Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh, PVSM, AVSM.
 
==Military honours and awards==


{| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
{| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
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|[[Sangram Medal]]
|[[Sangram Medal]]
|-
|-
|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|Sainya Seva Medal]]
|[[Sainya Seva Medal]]
|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|Videsh Seva Medal]]
|[[Videsh Seva Medal]]
|[[Indian Independence Medal]]
|[[Indian Independence Medal]]
|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|25th Anniversary of Independence Medal]]
|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|25th Anniversary of Independence Medal]]
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{{s-mil}}
{{s-mil}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Dilbagh Singh]]}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Dilbagh Singh]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Chief of the Air Staff (India)]]  
{{s-ttl|title=[[Chief of the Air Staff (India)]] |years=1984–1985}}
|years=1984–1985}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Denis La Fontaine]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Denis La Fontaine]]}}
{{s-bef| before = J. D. Aquino}}
{{s-ttl| title = [[Commandant of the Air Force Academy]] | years = 1972 - 1975}}
{{s-aft|after= H. R. Chitnis}}
{{end}}
{{end}}
{{Chief_of_the_Air_Staff_(India)}}
{{Chief_of_the_Air_Staff_(India)}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Katre, Lakshman}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Katre, Lakshman}}
[[Category:The Doon School alumni]]
[[Category:1926 births]]
[[Category:Indian aviators]]
[[Category:1985 deaths]]
[[Category:Chiefs of Air Staff (India)]]
[[Category:Indian Air Force air marshals]]
[[Category:Indian Air Force air marshals]]
[[Category:Indian military aviators]]
[[Category:Chiefs of the Air Staff (India)]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Param Vishisht Seva Medal]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Param Vishisht Seva Medal]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal]]
[[Category:1926 births]]
[[Category:Commandants of the Air Force Academy (India)]]
[[Category:1985 deaths]]
[[Category:The Doon School alumni]]
[[Category:Indian Air Force officers]]

Latest revision as of 04:20, 11 August 2025


Air Chief Marshal

Lakshman Madhav Katre

PVSM, AVSM **
Born26 January 1927[1]
Madras
Died1 July 1985(1985-07-01) (aged 58)
Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
Allegiance British India (1946–1947)
 India (from 1947)
Service/branch Indian Air Force
 Indian Air Force
Years of service1946–1985
RankAir Chief Marshal
AwardsParam Vishist Seva Medal
Ati Vishist Seva Medal
12th Chief of the Air Staff
In office
4 September 1984 – 1 July 1985
Preceded byDilbagh Singh
Succeeded byDenis La Fontaine

Air Chief Marshal Lakshman Madhav Katre, PVSM, AVSM and Bar (1927–1985) was the head of the Indian Air Force (IAF) from 1984 to 1985, as Chief of the Air Staff and the second IAF Chief of Staff to die in harness. He was awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Bar.[2][3]

He hailed from the Konkani community[4] and completed his schooling from The Doon School, Dehradun, India.[5] He joined the Royal Indian Air Force on 3 Aug 1944 as an officer cadet and was granted an emergency commission in the General Duties (Pilot) branch on 9 Apr 1945.[1]

In his career in the lAF, he commanded with distinction squadrons, stations and the Air Force Academy. During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, he successfully conducted uninterrupted operations from one of the most forward airfields, which was regularly attacked by the Pakistan Air Force. This was due to his meticulous planning.

As the Commandant of the Air Force Academy at Dundigal, he expanded the facilities to cater for the training of ground duty officers. Flying activity at the base was successfully reoriented for advance training on jet aircraft and a safety record was achieved during his tenure. On completion of a Royal College of Defence Studies course in England in 1976, he was appointed Senior Air Staff officer of a major air command. Under his direction, the operational effectiveness of the forces in the command increased greatly. With his wide experience of fighter flying, he was able to conduct various air exercises which simulated realistic battle conditions.

In 1983, he also served as the Chairman of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.[6]

He died suddenly while still serving, on 1 July 1985.

The Katre House in The Air Force School (Subroto Park) was named after him.

The Air Force Association, Karnataka Branch, hosts an annual Air Chief Marshal L.M. Katre Memorial Lecture in Bangalore. The 16th edition of this lecture was given in August 2025 by Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh, PVSM, AVSM.

Military honours and awards[edit | edit source]

Param Vishisht Seva Medal Ati Vishisht Seva Medal General Service Medal
Samar Seva Star Paschimi Star Raksha Medal Sangram Medal
Sainya Seva Medal Videsh Seva Medal Indian Independence Medal 25th Anniversary of Independence Medal
30 Years Long Service Medal 20 Years Long Service Medal 9 Years Long Service Medal War Medal 1939–1945

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Air Chief Marshal Lakshman Madhav Katre". Indian Air Force.
  2. ↑ "Indian Air Force Gallantry & Service Awards Register [www.bharat-rakshak.com]". Bharat-rakshak.com. Retrieved 26 March 2012.
  3. ↑ "Indian Air Force :: Lakshman Mohan Katre". Bharat-rakshak.com. Archived from the original on 8 February 2012. Retrieved 26 March 2012.
  4. ↑ "Mangaluru: Portraits of three Indian defence heroes unveiled at World Konkani Centre". Daiji World. 16 December 2022. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
  5. ↑ Hindu, The (15 April 2011). "LM Katre Memorial Lecture". The Hindu. Retrieved 19 October 2012.
  6. ↑ "Taliban threat from Af-Pak real: Air Force chief". India Today. 29 April 2012. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
Military offices
Preceded by
Dilbagh Singh 		Chief of the Air Staff (India)
1984–1985 		Succeeded by
Denis La Fontaine
Preceded by
J. D. Aquino 		Commandant of the Air Force Academy
1972 - 1975 		Succeeded by
H. R. Chitnis
Retrieved from "https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lakshman_Madhav_Katre&oldid=445545"
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