Eric James Tucker

For the artist, see Eric Tucker.

Captain Eric James Tucker AC
Portrait of Capt Eric James Tucker
Born	(1927-10-21)21 October 1927 Cuttuck, Bihar and Orissa Province, British India (now in Odisha, India)
Died	2 August 1957(1957-08-02) (aged 29) Assam, India (now Nagaland)
Allegiance	British India India
Branch	British Indian Army   Indian Army
Years of service	1947–1957
Rank	Captain
Service number	SS-14191 IC-5034 (regular commission)
Unit	2 Maratha LI
Awards	Ashoka Chakra

Captain Eric James Tucker, AC (21 October 1927 - 2 August 1957) was an Indian Army officer who was Posthumously awarded the highest peace time gallantry award, Ashok Chakra for an act of Gallantry in Nagaland. ^{[1] [2]}

Early life

Capt Eric James Tucker was born on 21 October 1927. He attended Stewart School, Cuttack. ^[3] His father's name was Mr. Veera Vijaya Suckev.

Military career

Tucker was commissioned on a short-service commission in the Maratha Light Infantry on 13 July 1947. On 9 December 1949, he was appointed aide-de-camp to the GOC-in-C, Eastern Command, with the local rank of captain. ^[4] On 1 August 1950, he received a regular commission as a lieutenant (seniority from 13 April 1950 and with seniority as second lieutenant from 13 April 1948). ^[5] He was promoted captain on 13 April 1954. ^[6]

The Naga insurgency

The Naga Insurgency was India's first and oldest rebellion since independence. The guerrilla gangs were ferocious and battle-trained. In 1956, Captain Eric James Tucker commanded 'B' Company of the 2nd Battalion of the Maratha Light Infantry, which was operating in the Naga Hills. He was tasked with opening the lines of communication from Chakabama to Phek, a distance of 42 miles, and further to Meluri, an additional 20 miles away. He successfully achieved his objective and reached Meluri on 15 October 1956 following a successful encounter with a large number of hostile guerrillas armed with automatics and rifles. Undeterred by his injuries, he continued to fight with great courage, inflicting many casualties on the enemy. Subsequently, Captain Tucker undertook many dangerous and arduous tasks far beyond his duty, remaining relentless despite repeated warnings from the rebels that they would kill him. On 1 April 1957, while operating in the Naga Hills, he received information about a rebel concentration at Chipokatami. He immediately rushed to the location, moving through the dark jungles, and took the rebels by surprise, capturing four of them along with their weapons. On 18 July 1957, he executed a major maneuver, inflicting heavy casualties and capturing a number of prisoners. On 2 August 1957, while leading a platoon from Khuzami to Kiviku, he was ambushed in the thick undergrowth of the jungle by militants who had obtained advance information about his movement. Captain Eric James Tucker was hit by the militants in the face and legs but stood his ground, fighting and engaging the militants until the last round. In a final act of bravery, he charged at the militants just before being killed by an automatic burst of fire.

Ashoka Chakra awardee

Captain Eric James led his men with an extremely high order of personal courage and determination amidst hostile concentration. He was a great inspiration for his comrades and his devotion to duty and leadership are exemplary. For his gallantry and sacrifice, he was posthumously awarded Ashoka Chakra.

Captain Eric Tucker was one of the most determined soldiers of the Indian Army. He always took actions with clear and organized thoughts. He sacrificed his life for the nation at a very young age.

References

1. "Captain Eric James Tucker". Honourpoint. 2 August 1957.
2. "Capt Eric James Tucker". Gallantry Awards.
3. "Captain Eric James Tucker: a forgotten legend". Orissa Post. 21 October 2021. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
4. "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)" (PDF). The Gazette of India. 25 February 1950. p. 286.
5. "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)" (PDF). The Gazette of India. 17 February 1951. p. 31.
6. "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)" (PDF). The Gazette of India. 1 September 1956. p. 172.