India Untold: How An Indian Paratrooper Doctor Braved China's War Lines To Save Lives In South Korea

Lieutenant Colonel Dr Arcot G Rangaraj made history in 1941 when he became one of India's first paratroopers, alongside Havildar Major Mathura Singh. Born in 1917, he studied medicine at Madras Medical College before joining the Indian Medical Service. He trained as a paratrooper at Delhi's Willingdon Air Landing School (now Safdarjung Airport), combining medical service with military bravery.

Lieutenant Colonel Dr. Arcot G. Rangaraj(Mar 12, 1917 – Mar 23, 2009)His contributions...🔹Rangaraj was born in Arcot, Tamil Nadu. He studied medicine at Madras Medical College, Chennai during 1930's. Then in 1941, he joined Indian Medical Services, which was a military... twitter/P7WZZzdWKL

- Gopi K (@kmgnath) February 13, 2024

A hero in World War II and Kashmir

During World War II, Dr Rangaraj served on the Manipur front, treating Indian soldiers during Japan's Burma campaign, as per The Better India feature. After Independence, he headed the 60th Parachute Field Ambulance unit, which operated in Kashmir from 1948-49. There, his team ran the 'Cariappa Hospital' under tough weather and supply shortages, serving soldiers near the frontlines.

India's answer to Korea's medical crisis

When the Korean War broke out in 1950, newly independent India offered help. Dr Rangaraj's unit, the 60th Parachute Field Ambulance, was sent on a medical mission under the UN flag. They arrived in Busan in November 1950 and immediately supported the 27th British Commonwealth Brigade in intense war zones.

Although India provided no combat troops for the #KoreanWar, they did deploy the 60th Parachute Field Ambulance, commanded by Lieut.-Col. A.G. Rangaraj. The unit treated over 222,300 patients, both military and civilian, between Nov. 1950 and Aug. 1953. (Image: IWM MH 33025) twitter/lJbn0bdMC7

- Mark Simner (@marksimner) April 15, 2023

Despite minimal resources and extreme conditions, Dr Rangaraj and his team treated over 2,00,000 patients and performed 2,300 surgeries during their 39-month deployment. Their efficiency earned praise from US commanders and the nickname“Angels in Maroon Berets” from locals.

A risky jump into enemy territory

In March 1951, Dr Rangaraj was one of 12 Indian officers who volunteered to parachute with 3,400 American troops into enemy territory. The mission aimed to disrupt Chinese and North Korean supply lines. The planned support never came. Stranded in freezing conditions with little more than tea and biscuits, Dr Rangaraj and his men still managed to carry out emergency surgeries and save lives.

Honours from South Korea

For his bravery and service, Dr Rangaraj received the Chungmu Distinguished Military Service Award, South Korea's third-highest military honour. Three members of his unit received the same. In India, he was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, the second-highest gallantry award. 

Lieutenant Colonel AG Rangaraj was commanding 60 Independent Field Ambulance during UN Mission in Korea. He was always deployed well forward and was instrumental in evacuating and treating casualties. He was awarded #MahaVirChakra for his exemplary initiative and leadership. twitter/Ew0txwvwGM

- Gallantry Awards of India (@GallantryAward) March 24, 2023

The unit earned six Vir Chakras and honours from the UN and US as well.

24 Mar 1961#KoreaLt Col AG Rangaraj of the Indian Field Ambulance at #Korea, refused to withdraw to safety & continued to treat the casualties besides providing exemplary leadership to his unit which resulted in sterling medical cover to troops. Awarded #MahaVirChakra. twitter/L2gtA1TvnT

- ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) March 24, 2023

In July 2020, the South Korean government named him their“Hero of the Month”. His photos were displayed in Korean schools as part of history lessons on the war.

Lt. Col. AG Rangaraj was awarded as #KoreanWarHero of July 2020 for leading the 60th Parachute Field Ambulance Platoon. He participated in several operations and treated 200,000+ wounded soldiers, trained local #ROK doctors & evacuated his own unit in a steam locomotive.7/n twitter/UuyxMOnxjM

- Siddhant Hira (@SiddhantHira) March 24, 2023

From war doctor to disease warrior

After retiring from the Army in 1966, Dr Rangaraj didn't stop serving. He earned a diploma in Public Health and worked with the World Health Organization (WHO). He became the senior WHO adviser on smallpox eradication in Afghanistan in 1969, teaming up with Dr Abdul Mohammad Darmanger. Together, they built Afghanistan's first national health programme, a key reason for the region's successful smallpox eradication.

He later supported eradication efforts in Bangladesh and the Arabian Peninsula. His optimism and leadership inspired his teams even during the hardest times.

A lifetime of service

Dr Rangaraj passed away in 2009 at the age of 92. From battlefield surgeries to public health victories, his life remains a shining example of service, both to India and to the world. His story, rarely told in mainstream histories, deserves to be remembered.

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