Subedar LV Srinivasan

Subedar Latteri Venkata Subbayyar Srinivasan was born on 12th August 1915, in the village of Latteri, located in Vellore District of Tamil Nadu. He was the son of Shri. Latteri Venkatasubbayyar. From an early age, he displayed qualities of discipline, determination, and a deep sense of patriotism. He pursued his early education at RBANM High School in Ulsoor, Bangalore, where his interest in joining the armed forces began to take shape. Upon completing his education, he decided to follow his passion and serve the nation. At the age of 21, he joined the Royal Indian Army Service Corps (RIASC) and was formally enrolled on 4th June 1936. 

He married Ms. Mangalam, who hailed from his native village, Latteri. The couple was blessed with six children — five sons and one daughter. Despite frequent transfers and long postings away from home, he remained deeply devoted to his family and ensured they upheld the same values of integrity and service that guided his own life. During his illustrious military career, Subedar Srinivasan served in several important theatres of World War II. His field service included deployment in Egypt (1941–1942), Iraq (1942–1943), and along the Indo–Burma Border (16 November 1943 – 15 May 1944). His courage, resilience, and unwavering dedication in these operations earned him the “Africa Star” in 1944, a campaign medal awarded to those who took part in the North African campaign during the war. After India’s independence, Subedar Srinivasan continued to serve the Indian Army with the same zeal. He was posted to various important stations, including  Bangalore, Bombay (now Mumbai), and the Army Headquarters in New Delhi. His final assignment was in the Northeastern region of India, where he continued to uphold the highest traditions of military service.

Indo-China War: Nov 1962

During the 1962 Indo-China War, Subedar L.V. Srinivasan was serving with the Headquarters of the 4 Infantry Division. The Division Headquarters, which had been based in Ambala before the deterioration of Sino-Indian relations, was moved to the North-East in 1959 and initially located at Tezpur. During the war, its tactical headquarters operated from Zemithang and Dirang Dzong in the Kameng Frontier Division of the North-East Frontier Agency (NEFA). The 4 Infantry Division comprised primarily three brigades — the 7 Infantry Brigade, 5 Infantry Brigade, and 4 Artillery Brigade. The 7 Infantry Brigade included 9 Punjab and 1 Sikh, both deployed at Tawang, and 1/9 Gorkha Rifles at Misamari. Later, 2 Rajput, 4 Grenadiers, 5 Assam Rifles, and a company of 6 Mahar also came under the brigade’s operational control. Meanwhile, the 5 Infantry Brigade was placed directly under Headquarters 33 Corps as per a revised operational plan, removing it from the Division’s control. The 4 Artillery Brigade, under the Division, commanded several field regiments and batteries, including elements from 34 Heavy Mortar Battery, 5 Field Regiment (95, 96, and 97 Field Batteries), 6 Field Regiment (86, 87, and 88 Field Batteries), 22 Mountain Regiment (7 (Bengal) and 2 (Derajat) Mountain Batteries), and 116 Heavy Mortar Battery from 33 Medium Regiment. In this complex operational environment, Subedar Srinivasan was entrusted with coordinating among a large number of units to meet the rapidly changing demands of the battlefield.

On 20 October 1962, the 7 Infantry Brigade faced a major setback at Namka Chu ridge. Following this, the tactical headquarters of the 4 Infantry Division withdrew from Zemithang on the morning of 21 October. The Tawang Garrison, which consisted of two infantry battalions and three artillery batteries, was abandoned on 23 October 1962. Subedar Srinivasan and his comrades subsequently moved to Dirang Dzong, located south of Tawang. After a lull of 23 days, the second phase of the Chinese offensive began on 17 November 1962. When the attack commenced, Subedar Srinivasan was in a bunker along with a few other soldiers. In the midst of the fierce exchange of fire, he was struck by shell splinters and suffered fatal injuries. He made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty on 19 Nov and was declared 'Killed in Action'. Subedar LV Srinivasan’s life is a shining example of unwavering dedication, patriotism, and selfless service. From the deserts of North Africa to the jungles of Burma, and later on the frontlines of the 1962 war, his military journey spanned decades of valour — from the battlefields of World War II to the independent Indian Army.