5 Military Personals Honored With Prestigious MacGregor Memorial Medal

Five distinguished military personnel were honoured with the prestigious MacGregor Memorial Medal for the years 2023 and 2024, in recognition of their exceptional contributions to military reconnaissance, exploration, and adventure. The awards were conferred by Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan at a ceremony hosted by the United Service Institution of India (USI) in New Delhi.

Key Highlights

About the MacGregor Memorial Medal

• Instituted on: July 3, 1888
• Named after: Major General Sir Charles Metcalfe MacGregor, founder of USI (established in 1870)
• Original Purpose: To honour exceptional military reconnaissance and exploratory journeys
• Expanded Scope (Post-1986): Includes military expeditions, adventure activities
• Eligible Personnel: All ranks (serving/retired) of the Armed Forces, Territorial Army, Reserve Forces, Rashtriya Rifles, and Assam Rifles
• Total Medals Awarded: 127 so far (103 before Independence)

MacGregor Memorial Medal Recipients: 2023

• Wing Commander D. Panda (Indian Air Force)
• Electrical Artificer (Radio) Rahul Kumar Pandey (Indian Navy)

MacGregor Memorial Medal Recipients: 2024

• Chief Electrical Aircraft Artificer (Radio) Ram Ratan Jat (Indian Navy)
• Sergeant Jhumar Ram Poonia (Indian Air Force)
• Colonel Ranvir Singh Jamwal – Director, National Institute of Mountaineering and Adventure Sports (NIMAS), Arunachal Pradesh
  (Currently on an expedition to Mt. Kangchenjunga)

Book Launch at the Event

• Title: Bravest of the Brave
• Author: Lt. Gen. Satish Dua (Retd.)
• Subject: Heroic journey of Naib Subedar Chunni Lal, a decorated soldier

Summary/Static	Details
Why in the news?	5 Military Personals Honored With Prestigious MacGregor Memorial Medal
Named After	Major General Sir Charles Metcalfe MacGregor
Purpose	To honour exceptional military reconnaissance and exploratory journeys

Year	Recipient Name	Rank/Position	Service Branch	Contribution Area
2023	Wing Commander D. Panda Indian	Air Force	Air Force	Military reconnaissance/adventure
2023	Rahul Kumar Pandey	Electrical Artificer (Radio)	Indian Navy	Exploration/military service
2024	Ram Ratan Jat	Chief Electrical Aircraft Artificer (Radio)	Indian Navy	Reconnaissance/technology in naval systems
2024	Jhumar Ram Poonia	Sergeant	Indian Air Force	Adventure/military excellence
2024	Col. Ranvir Singh Jamwal	Director, NIMAS, Arunachal Pradesh	Indian Army	High-altitude mountaineering (Mt. Kangchenjunga)