ADMIRAL O.S. DAWSON, PVSM, AVSM(RETD)

Admiral Dawson was born in Burma and also had his high school education there. When the Japanese occupied Burma in March 1942, he was evacuated to India where he continued his college studies. Re was commissioned in the Royal Indian Naval Volunteer Reserve on 07 Jan 1943 and was subsequently absorbed in the regular cadre of the Navy. Even as a junior off icer his career was marked with distinction and the sea has always been his first love.

He participated in the Second World War in the Arakan Operations (Burma), on convoy escort duty in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea and in mine-sweeping operations soon after the war.

Trained as a specialist in Navigation and Direction in the United Kingdom, Admiral Dawson has held various afloat and important ashore appointments. He served as the Naval Aide-deCamp to the first President of India, the late Dr Rajendra Prasad, during 1953-54 and since 02 Mar 1981 is the Honorary Naval Aide-de-Camp to the President. Subsequent to his graduation from the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington in 1957, he served as the Navigating officer of Indian Naval Ship Vikrant and also as the Fleet Navigating Officer. Later, he held the appointments of the Officer Incharge, Navigation and Direction School and that of the Director, Tactical School and Chief Staff officer at Cochin. Re graduated from the National Defence College, New Delhi in 1973.

During his 42 years of service career, hd has to his credit 19 years sea service which included important sea commands of Indian Naval Ships 'Talwarl and 'Nilgiril. He served as the Flag officer Commanding, Eastern Fleet, during Feb 1978 - Mar 1979. His important ashore appointments include Commanding Officer - of the Boys' Training Establishment 'INS Circars' and Director of Naval Operations at Naval Headquarters during the Indo-Pakistan conflict in 1971, for which he was awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal. As the General Manager, Goa Shipyard Limited, Admiral Dawson introduced a Corporate Development Plan for the Shipyard and also brought about progressive management practices which improved the relationship between the workers and the management.

Before assuming the office of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Dawson served as the Flag officer commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command. During the latter half of his tenure as Chief of Naval Staff, he was also Chairman of the Chiefs,' of Staff Committee.

Admiral Dawson was awarded the Param vishishit seva Medal for distinguished service of exceptional order on the Republic Day 1981.

As Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Dawson retired from the Navy on 30 Nov 1984 and was appointed as High Commissioner of India in New Zealand in Aug 1985. On completion of his tenure there, he returned to Bangalore in Sep 1987.

Return to Kursk Tribute Home Page

You are the Visitor to Admiral O.S. Dawson's Exclusive Condolence Page.

Return to Bangalore Home Page : India Hello, Bangalore Walla, Namaskara!

This Page Hosted by Get Your Own Free Home Page