The 60 Para Field hospital has garnered appreciation from the world over for its selfless service to earthquake survivors of Turkey and Syria.
This is not the first time that the medical unit is in the limelight. Affectionately called ‘angels in maroon berets’, the 60th Parachute Field Ambulance unit treated more than 200,000 people between 1950 and 1954.
During the Korean War (1950-53), India supported the UN Security Council Resolutions and deployed an Army medical unit; the 60th Parachute Field Ambulance, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel AG Rangaraj. The unit disembarked at Pusan on 20 November 1950, and was initially deployed at Pyongyang on 29 November 1950.
It was then divided into two sub units; the ‘Forward Element’ grouped with 27 British Brigade and the “Administrative Element” located at Daegu to assist the Korean Army Hospital and also treat civilians.
The Forward Element was in the thick of action including a major airlift, “OP TOMAHAWK” with the 8th US Army from 23 to 31 March 1953 in the area of Munsan that involved linkup with the 3rd Division US Army and later countering a massive enemy offensive on 22 April 1953.
The unit came under the command of the 28 British Brigade on 01 July 1951 with the formation of the Commonwealth Division.
It then participated in a series of operations named, “Operation Commando and Operation Killer”, until 23 August 1953.
The unit comprised 627 personnel, suffered 03 fatal and 23 non-fatal casualties during the deployment and treated over 222,324 patients including civilians during the Korean War.
The unit was also awarded citations from the US and South Korean Army Chiefs and commendations from their parent formation, 1st Commonwealth Division.
On their return to India, 60 Para Field Ambulance was awarded with the President’s Trophy by President Dr Rajendra Prasad on 10th March 1955 at Agra, the first one of its kind and the only one to date. The unit was also awarded twenty-five Mentioned-in- Dispatches.