Minoo Merwan Engineer
Air Marshal Minoo Merwan Engineer, PVSM, MVC, DFC (1921–1997) was a former Air Officer in the Indian Air Force. He is one of the most decorated officers in the Indian Air Force, with the second-highest civil decoration - the Padma Bhushan, two gallantry awards - the Maha Vir Chakra and the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the highest peace-time distinguished service award - the Param Vishisht Seva Medal.
M M Engineer | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Minoo Merwan Engineer |
| Born | 01 Dec 1921 |
| Died | 1997 |
| Allegiance |   |
| Service/ |   |
| Years of service | 1940-1973 |
| Rank |  |
| Service number | 1614 F(P) |
| Commands held | Western Air Command Eastern Air Command Air Force Station Lohegaon Air Force Station Srinagar No.4 Squadron No. 8 Squadron |
| Battles/wars | Burma Campaign Arakan Campaign 1942–43 Indo-Pakistani War of 1947 Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 |
| Awards | Padma Bhushan Param Vishisht Seva Medal Maha Vir Chakra Distinguished Flying Cross |
| Relations | Aspy Engineer (brother) |
His elder brother, Air Marshal Aspy Engineer served as the 4th Chief of the Air Staff.
Early life
Engineer was born Aspy Merwan Irani on 15 December 1912 in Lahore, British India[1] to Meherwan Irani and Maneckbai. Meherwan was a Divisional Engineer for the North Western Railway,[2]. His interest in mechanics led his friends to rename him Engineer.[1][3][4][5] He was the sixth amongst eight siblings - two girls and six boys. His brothers, Aspy, Jungoo and Ronnie, also joined the Indian Air Force, while another brother, Homi, joined the Indian Army. Aspy, Minoo and Ronnie were recipients of the DFC, a unique feat where three brothers were decorated with gallantry awards.[4][2]
Military Career
Engineer joined the Indian Air Force in 1940 and served in Burma in World War II. He was awarded the DFC for his part in the Arakan operations.[6]
Indo-Pakistani War of 1947
In 1948, Engineer commanded Air Force Station Srinagar. For this operation, he was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, the second-highest war-time gallantry award.
The citation for the Maha Vir Chakra reads as follows:[7]
Gazette Notification: 2Pres/50, 26-1-50
Operation: 1948 Effective Date of Award: 06 November 1948
CITATION
WING COMMANDER MINOO MERWAN ENGINEER, DFC
(1614) GD(P)Wing Commander Engineer was in charge of the Kashmir operations for nearly a year. Under his able guidance and leadership the enemy has been hit hard and effectively on a number occasions. e.g. KISHEN GANGA BRIDGE, SKARDU AND GILGIT besides the normal close support sorties. The most effective support by the IAF to our land forces in the capture of GURAIS was largely attributable to the planning and drive shown by this officer in personally directing the air operations. Throughout he has set a fine example of leadership.
He was promoted Air Marshal in 1964 and appointed the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Air Command. For his services in the Eastern sector, he was awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal.[5]
Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
At the time of Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, he was Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Western Air Command. For his part in the war, Engineer was awarded the Padma Bhushan for his leadership and services.[8]
See Also
References
- "Aspy Engineer (1912 - 2002) - SP's Aviation". www.sps-aviation.com. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
- Singh, Farida. "Brothers-in-Arms : The Flying Engineer Brothers". www.bharat-rakshak.com. Retrieved 19 February 2019.
- Pillaristetti, Jagan (6 February 2007). "Air Marshal Aspy Merwan Engineer DFC [Air Chiefs Since 1947]". web.archive.org. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
- Sorabji, Rusi (2012). "The First historical landmark in the annals of Aviation, both Civil or Military in the Sub-Continent, the Aga Khan Race 1930" (PDF). HAMAZOR (2): 47–53.
- Sapru, Somnath (2014). Combat Lore: Indian Air Force 1930-1945: Indian Air Force 1930-1945. KW Publishers Pvt Ltd. p. 450. ISBN 978-93-83649-25-9.
- "No. 37291". The London Gazette (Supplement). 28 September 1945. p. 4859.
- "WG CDR MINOO MERWAN ENGINEER | Gallantry Awards". gallantryawards.gov.in. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
- News Article in Depth Archived August 1, 2012, at WebCite
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Shivdev Singh |
Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Air Command 1969–1973 |
Succeeded by Hrushikesh Moolgavkar |
| Preceded by Ramaswamy Rajaram |
Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Air Command 1963–1964 |
Succeeded by Y V Malse |