Oscar Stanley Dawson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Admiral
Oscar Stanley Dawson
PVSM, AVSM
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| 7th High Commissioner of India to New Zealand | |
| In office August 1985 – August 1987 |
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| Preceded by | A. K. Budhiraja |
| Succeeded by | C.R. Balachandra |
| 26th Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee | |
| In office 5 September 1984 – 30 November 1984 |
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| President | Zail Singh (Acting) |
| Prime Minister | Indira Gandhi Rajiv Gandhi |
| Preceded by | Dilbagh Singh |
| Succeeded by | Arun Shridhar Vaidya |
| 10th Chief of the Naval Staff (India) | |
| In office 1 March 1982 – 30 November 1984 |
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| President | Neelam Sanjiva Reddy Zail Singh Mohammad Hidayatullah (Acting) |
| Prime Minister | Indira Gandhi Rajiv Gandhi |
| Preceded by | Ronald Lynsdale Pereira |
| Succeeded by | Radhakrishna Hariram Tahiliani |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 13 November 1923 British Burma, British Raj (now Myanmar) |
| Died | 23 October 2011 (aged 87) Bangalore, India |
| Resting place | Bangalore, India |
| Alma mater | Scott Christian College |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  British India (1943-1947) India (from 1947) |
| Branch/service |  Royal Indian Navy Indian Navy |
| Years of service | 1943–1984 |
| Rank |   Admiral |
| Commands | Chief of the Naval Staff Southern Naval Command Eastern Fleet INS Nilgiri (F33) INS Talwar (F140) |
| Battles/wars | World War II Liberation of Goa Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 |
| Awards |
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Admiral Oscar Stanley Dawson (born November 13, 1923 – died October 23, 2011) was a very important leader in the Indian Navy. He reached the highest rank of Admiral, which is a four-star rank. From 1982 to 1984, he was the 11th Chief of the Naval Staff, meaning he was the top commander of the entire Indian Navy.
Admiral Dawson also led the Chiefs of Staff Committee for the Indian Armed Forces. This committee includes the heads of the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Before becoming the Navy Chief, he commanded important naval groups like the Southern Naval Command and the Eastern Fleet. He was also in charge of naval operations during the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971.
After he retired from the Navy, Admiral Dawson became India's High Commissioner to New Zealand. This means he was India's main diplomat there. He also worked hard to protect the environment and help people with disabilities. He passed away in 2011 in Bangalore, India.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Oscar Stanley Dawson was born in Burma (now Myanmar) on November 13, 1923. His family came from the Nadar community in Tamil Nadu, India, and were Christians. He went to high school and college in his hometown of Nagercoil, at Scott Christian College.
In 1942, during World War II, the Japanese army took over Burma. Because of this, his family had to move back to India for safety.
After moving to India, Oscar Stanley Dawson continued his college studies. However, he soon decided to join the Royal Indian Navy Volunteer Reserve. He officially became a junior officer, called a midshipman, on January 8, 1943.
He received special training in the United Kingdom to become an expert in navigation and direction. During World War II, he helped protect ships carrying supplies in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. He also took part in the Arakan Campaign 1944-1945.
When India became independent in 1947, he joined the new Indian Navy. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1948.
One of his first special jobs was serving as a naval aide-de-camp to India's first President, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, from 1953 to 1954. He was promoted to lieutenant-commander in 1956.
After finishing his training at the Defence Services Staff College in 1957, he worked as the navigating officer on a famous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant. He later became the fleet navigating officer for the entire navy.
Admiral Dawson also commanded two important ships: INS Talwar (F140) and INS Nilgiri (F33). On land, he led the Navigation and Direction School and the Tactical School. He also served as the chief staff officer in the Cochin Area.
Role in the 1971 War
In 1969, he was promoted to captain. During the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971, he was the Director of Naval Operations (DNO) at Naval Headquarters. This meant he was in charge of planning and directing all naval attacks.
Under his leadership, the Indian Navy achieved major successes. These included Operation Trident and Operation Python, which were daring attacks on enemy ports. The navy also created a blockade around East Pakistan, stopping supplies from reaching the enemy.
For his excellent service and leadership during the war, Admiral Dawson received the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM). This is a special award for distinguished service.
Rising Through the Ranks
In 1973, he completed another important course at the National Defence College. He was then promoted to commodore and later to rear admiral in 1976. He commanded the Eastern Fleet from 1978 to 1979.
In 1979, he became a vice-admiral and took command of the Southern Naval Command. In 1981, he received the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM), an even higher award for his outstanding service to the Indian Navy.
On March 1, 1982, Oscar Stanley Dawson was promoted to the rank of Admiral. He became the 11th Chief of the Naval Staff, taking over from Admiral R L Pereira. This was the highest position in the Indian Navy.
One of his most important contributions as Navy Chief was planning for Project Seabird. This was a big project to build a new naval base.
Admiral Dawson retired from the Navy on November 30, 1984. He had served his country for 41 years, with 19 of those years spent at sea.
Life After Retirement
After retiring from the Navy, Admiral Dawson continued to serve India. He was appointed as the Indian High Commissioner to New Zealand from August 1985 to September 1987. In this role, he represented India's interests in New Zealand.
Environmental and Social Work
After his time as High Commissioner, Admiral Dawson lived in Bangalore and Nagercoil. He became very active in protecting the environment. He led a campaign to clean up Ulsoor Lake in Bangalore, which was very polluted. He also played a key role in the 1990s campaign to stop using leaded petrol, which was harmful to the environment and people's health. He was also a talented pianist.
From 2005, he served as the president of a charity called Anga Karunya Kendra. This organization helps people with disabilities. They focus on supporting patients with conditions like polio, muscular dystrophy, and cerebral palsy. They also help people who have been in accidents. A big part of their work is providing prostheses, which are artificial body parts, to help people move and live better.
Death
Admiral Oscar Stanley Dawson passed away on October 23, 2011, at the age of 87. He died from a cerebral hemorrhage, which is bleeding in the brain. He never married and was survived by his sister, Thelma.
