Guwahati: Colonel (retired) Prithipal Singh Gill, the only officer to serve in the Indian Air Force, Indian Navy and Indian, Army turned 100 on Friday. On the special occasion, he shared a photo of his youth and a current photo by Lieutenant General (retired) KJ Singh on social media.
People on social media conveyed their warm wishes to the veteran who gave a 'thumbs up' to the camera on his birthday.
Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh took to Twitter and conveyed his warm wishes to the veteran. He wrote in his tweet: "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."
Lieutenant
General (retired) KJ Singh posted took to Twitter and shared Gill's impressive
career on Twitter. He wrote: "The only Officer to serve in the Indian Navy, Air
Force and Army turn 100. Also commanded AR (PMF)."
He
began his career in the pre-World War II era as a young pilot in the Royal
Indian Air Force. He joined the Royal Indian Air Force under British rule
without asking his family. After this, he was appointed as a pilot officer in
Karachi.
He
then sailed the high seas with the Indian Navy and finally saw action as a
Gunner Officer with the Indian Army in the 1965 War. Gill participated in the Indo-Pak war of 1965. The veteran also served during World
War II in 1965 where he was given the responsibility of supervising cargo ships.
Apart from this, he also served in Assam Rifles Sector Commander in Manipur.
Gill was born on December 11, 1920, in Patiala, Punjab. He used to supervise cargo ships during World War II. As a Naval Officer, Deputy Lieutenant Gill qualified for the Long Gunnery Staff course at School of Artillery, Deolali.
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