VICE ADMIRAL JOHN C DESILVA, PVSM, AVSM, ADC VICE CHIEF OF THE NAVAL STAFF RETIRES

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Vice Admiral John Colin DeSilva PVSM, AVSM, ADC Vice Chief of the Naval Staff relinquishes his office today after a glorious innings that spanned across 40 years in the Navy. A Missile and Gunnery specialist, DeSilva held several prestigious and coveted appointments in his distinguished career.

During his naval career, the Admiral held a variety of command and staff appointments. His command
assignments afloat include the command of Missile Vessels INS Sindhudurg, INS Vijaydurg and commissioning of the Guided Missile Destroyer INS Ranvijay in the erstwhile USSR. He was at the helm of the Western Fleet of the Indian Navy in 1995-96.

In the rank of Commander, he set up the Warship Workup Organisation of the Navy in 1982. Promoted to
Flag rank in 1992, he held appointments of Assistant Chief of Personnel (Human Resource Development), Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Information Warfare and Operations), Controller Warship Production & Acquisition and Chief of Personnel at Naval Headquarters. Subsequently, he took over as Director General of the Coast Guard and Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Naval Command. He held the present appointment since 15 Jan 02.

The President of India decorated Vice Admiral DeSilva with Ati Vishist Seva Medal in 1993 and the Param Vishist Seva Medal in 2001 for meritorious service of an exceptional order.