Jagannath Raoji Chitnis
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Jagannath Raoji Chitnis | |
|---|---|
 Portrait of Lt Col J.R. Chitnis | |
| Born | 20 August 1918 Satara, Maharashtra, India |
| Died | 14 June 1956 (aged 37) Nagaland, India |
| Allegiance |  India |
| Branch |  Indian Army |
| Years of service | 1942–1956 |
| Rank |  Lieutenant Colonel |
| Service number | IC-3472 |
| Unit | 3 Gorkha Rifles |
| Awards |  Ashoka Chakra |
Lieutenant Colonel Jagannath Raoji Chitnis, AC (20 August 1918 – 14 June 1956) was an Indian Army officer in 3 Gorkha Rifles who was posthumously awarded India's highest peacetime military decoration Ashoka Chakra.[1]
Lieutenant Colonel Jagannath Raoji Chitnis was born on 20 August 1918 in Satara, Maharashtra. He was the son of Sri Raoji Gopal Chitnis.
Military career
Lt Col Chitnis was commissioned into the Third Battalion of the Gorkha Rifles (then part of the British Indian Army) on 12 April 1942. After passing out from OTS Bangalore, Lt Col Chitnis served with his unit in different operational areas and evolved into an experienced and battle-hardened soldier.
By 1956, Lt Col Chitnis had put in about 14 years of service and had been promoted to the rank of a Lt Col. In 1956, he had become commanding officer of 1/3 Gorkha Rifles (since Independence, part of the Indian Army) and was serving in the northeastern border of the country. Lt Col Chitnis was a committed soldier and a fine officer, who commanded the respect of his men. As a thorough professional, Lt Col Chitnis had trained and established his battalion into a lethal strike force.