Colonel Prithipal Singh Gill (retired)is the only officer who served in Indian Air Force, Indian Navy, and Indian Army (Artillery), turned 100 today.
He served during World War-II and the 1965 India-Pakistan War.He was the commanding officer of the Regiment during the 1965 Indo-Pak war and fought in the Sialkot sector. “During the 1965 war four guns of his regiment were cut off by enemy action. Colonel Gill personally led a mission to retrieve the four guns. His bravery, however, remained unrewarded,” states the sketch by Brig Gakhal.
According to the family members, Colonel Gill thereafter joined the Navy where he served on a mine sweeping ship, INS Teer, which was an escort for cargo ships during World War-2. He subsequently left the Navy after having completed the Long Range Gunnery Course in which is was graded Instructor Gunnery (IG).
Punjab Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, congratulated Colonel Gill on turning 100. “Congratulate Col Prithipal Singh Gill, who turns 100 today. He bears the unique distinction of having served in all three armed forces. Sir, Wish you many more years of good health and may you continue to always inspire all of us,” he said in a tweet.
