Field Marshal Sam Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw, fondly known as Sam Bahadur, was the first Field Marshal of the Indian Army, appointed to the rank on 1 January 1973. He remains one of only two Indian military officers to be conferred this prestigious title, the other being Field Marshal K. M. Cariappa, who received the honor in 1986. Born on April 3, 1914, Manekshaw was part of the inaugural batch of 40 cadets at the Indian Military Academy and was commissioned into the 12th Frontier Force Rifles on 4 February 1934. He was awarded the Military Cross for exceptional gallantry and leadership during World War II on the Burma Front.

Over his distinguished career, Manekshaw held several pivotal commands. On 4 December 1963, as a Lieutenant General, he became the first Indian Commissioned Officer to be appointed as an Army Commander, leading the Western Command. He later took charge as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Command in November 1964. His strategic brilliance culminated in his appointment as Chief of the Army Staff on 8 June 1969. Under his leadership, the Indian Army achieved a historic victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war, leading to the creation of Bangladesh and solidifying his legacy as one of India's greatest military leaders.