The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Sunday, October 25, commemorated the 104th birthday of Wing Commander Cecil Barretto (Retd), honouring a military profession covering World War II, the 1947– 48 Kashmir War and the developmental years of the Air Force’s Dental Branch.
At 104, Barretto, a recipient of the Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM), represents an amazing chapter in India’s military history.
Having actually started his profession in the Army Dental Corps in February 1945, he went on to turn into one of the 2 pioneering officers who assisted develop the IAF’s Dental Branch in 1956.
On October 25, 2026, a group from the Airmen Training School (ATS), Belagavi, accompanied by Air Vice Marshal SJ Nanodkar (Retd), president of the Air Force Association’s Goa Branch, checked out Barretto at his house in Goa and felicitated him in the existence of his household.
“Once an Air Warrior, Always an Air Warrior!” the IAF’s Training Command stated in a post, explaining the gesture as a reaffirmation of the force’s dedication to honouring its veterans and commemorating their tradition.
Who is Wing Commander Cecil Barretto?
According to the Bharat Rakshak Indian Air Force Database, Barretto was born upon October 25, 1922.
His service number was 5232 and he served in the Dental Branch. He retired from the Air Force on December 16, 1975, based on the database.
His military profession, nevertheless, started much earlier. Barretto was commissioned into the Army Dental Corps in February 1945, throughout the last stage of the Second World War.
According to his service record and the accompanying Vishisht Seva Medal citation replicated in the Bharat Rakshak database, he was at first published to No. 4 Army Dental Centre in Rawalpindi. He was consequently selected Officer-in-Charge of No. 35 Indian Army Dental Centre, connected to the 14 Indian Division, where he served till completion of the war.
The citation keeps in mind that he performed oral assessments and treatment amongst soldiers with a remarkable inner voice, making sure that no man-days were lost.
His service continued after India’s Independence. Barretto was published to Jammu and Kashmir as Officer-in-Charge of No. 8 Military Dental Centre when Indian Army soldiers were inducted to eliminate Pakistani raiders throughout the 1947– 48 India-Pakistan dispute.
The citation applauded his dedication to task and effectiveness throughout this duration.
How did he assist develop IAF’s Dental Branch?
Among Barretto’s most considerable contributions was available in 1956, when the Indian Air Force developed its Dental Branch on March 31.
2 officers from the Army Dental Corps, Major JM Rao and Major C Barretto, were seconded to the Air Force to assist develop the brand-new branch.
The existing Military Dental Centres at Palam and Jalahalli were moved to the IAF and redesignated as No. 1 and No. 2 Air Force Dental Centres, respectively.
While Rao organized the centre at Palam, Barretto commanded the centre at Jalahalli.
Their IAF service numbers were 5231 and 5232, respectively. Both officers became part of the branch’s developmental years and are considered as its starting officers.
Barretto consequently served at numerous Air Force stations, ultimately commanding the Military Dental Centre at Panaji, Goa.
His obligations extended beyond Air Force workers. According to his VSM citation, he was likewise hired to offer oral care to the Army and other service workers stationed there.
The citation explained his expert abilities and perform as extremely valued by Air Force workers and their households, including that he had actually rendered recognized service of a high order.
Why was he granted Vishisht Seva Medal?
Barretto’s prominent military service was acknowledged with the Vishisht Seva Medal.
The Bharat Rakshak database replicates the Government of India’s Gazette citation for the award, dated January 26, 1976.
The citation highlighted his extraordinary inner voice throughout World War II, his service in Jammu and Kashmir after Independence, and his contributions to the Air Force after being seconded to it.
It likewise applauded his expert proficiency, commitment and altruism while serving military workers throughout various stations.
A household with an amazing military tradition
Barretto’s military tradition extends beyond his own profession.
According to air travel historian Anchit Gupta, Barretto was among 4 siblings who increased to senior ranks in the Indian Armed Forces. His brother or sisters consisted of 2 Brigadiers and a Lieutenant General.
The household likewise has a historic connection to Mahatma Gandhi. Their daddy, Dr Cristovam da Gama Barretto, was Gandhi’s dental expert at Wardha, Gupta kept in mind.
Reviewing the veteran’s 104th birthday, Gupta explained him as possibly “the earliest making it through IAF officer and invited the Air Force’s gesture of honouring among its leaders.”
At 104, Barretto’s life stands as a homage to a generation of military workers who served through the Second World War, India’s Independence and the early years of the nation’s military development.
From dealing with soldiers throughout wartime to assisting develop a crucial branch of the Indian Air Force, his profession stays a long-lasting part of India’s military heritage.
Discover more from PMN S.P.O.R.T.S - A PRIME MEDIA NETWORK BRAND
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
