Rama raghoba rane

 Rama Raghoba Rane, PVC (26 June 1918 – 11 July 1994) was an officer in the Indian Army. He was the first living recipient of the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest military decoration.

Major

Rama Raghoba Rane

PVC

Rama Raghoba Rane PVC.jpg

Born

26 June 1918

Chendia, Karwar District, Bombay Presidency, British India

(now Karnataka, India)

Died

11 July 1994 (aged 76)

Pune, Maharashtra

Allegiance

 British India (1940-1947)

 India (1947-1968)

Service/branch

 British Indian Army

 Indian Army

Years of service

1940–1968

Rank

Major of the Indian Army.svgMajor

Service number

IC-7244[1]

Unit

Bombay Sappers

Battles/wars

Second World War

Indo-Pakistani War of 1947

Awards

Param-Vir-Chakra-ribbon.svg Param Vir Chakra

Born in 1918, Rane served in the British Indian Army during the Second World War. He remained in the military during the post-war period and was commissioned in the Bombay Sappers Regiment of the Indian Army's Corps of Engineers on 15 December 1947. In April 1948, during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947, Rane played a key role in the capture of Rajauri by Indian forces by being instrumental in clearing several roadblocks and minefields. His actions helped clear the way for advancing Indian tanks. He was awarded the Param Vir Chakra on 8 April 1948 for his gallantry. He retired as a major from the Indian Army in 1968. During his 28 years' service with the army, he was mentioned in despatches five times. He died in 1994 at the age of 76.