Denis La Fontaine
Encyclopedia
Air Chief Marshall Denis Anthony La Fontaine (17 September 1929 – 6 April 2011) was the Chief of Air Staff of the Indian Air Force
from 3 July 1985 to 31 July 1988. Born in Madras, La Fontaine did his schooling in Lahore
and Mussoorie
, joining the fledgling Indian Air Force in October 1947. La Fontaine was commissioned into the flying branch in 1950 and became one of India's first jet fighter pilots flying Vampires. Besides the Vampire, La Fontaine flew Tigermoths, Tempests, Spitfires, Toofanis and Hunters, and later on the Mig 29 and Mirage 2000 which were inducted while he was the Chief. He went on to command the prestigious Western Air Command and became the 13th Air Chief on the sudden demise of Air Chief Marshall Laxman Katre. La Fontaine was awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal
, the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal
and the Vishisht Seva Medal
during his long service.
After his tenure, La Fontaine lived a retired life in Brahmanapalli village in Medak district of Andhra Pradesh
where he died on 6 April 2011.
Indian Air Force
The Indian Air Force is the air arm of the Indian armed forces. Its primary responsibility is to secure Indian airspace and to conduct aerial warfare during a conflict...
from 3 July 1985 to 31 July 1988. Born in Madras, La Fontaine did his schooling in Lahore
Lahore
Lahore is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and the second largest city in the country. With a rich and fabulous history dating back to over a thousand years ago, Lahore is no doubt Pakistan's cultural capital. One of the most densely populated cities in the world, Lahore remains a...
and Mussoorie
Mussoorie
Mussoorie is a city and a municipal board in the Dehradun District of the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand. It is located about 35 km from the state capital of Dehradun and 290 km north from the national capital of New Delhi...
, joining the fledgling Indian Air Force in October 1947. La Fontaine was commissioned into the flying branch in 1950 and became one of India's first jet fighter pilots flying Vampires. Besides the Vampire, La Fontaine flew Tigermoths, Tempests, Spitfires, Toofanis and Hunters, and later on the Mig 29 and Mirage 2000 which were inducted while he was the Chief. He went on to command the prestigious Western Air Command and became the 13th Air Chief on the sudden demise of Air Chief Marshall Laxman Katre. La Fontaine was awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal
Param Vishisht Seva Medal
Param Vishisht Seva Medal is a military award of India. It was constituted in 1960 and since then till 1980, it was awarded in recognition to peace-time service of most exceptional order.-External links:...
, the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal
Ati Vishisht Seva Medal
Ati Vishisht Seva Medal is a military award of India given to recognize "distinguished service of an exceptional order" to all ranks of the armed forces....
and the Vishisht Seva Medal
Vishisht Seva Medal
Vishisht Seva Medal is a decoration of the Indian Armed forces. It is awarded to recognize "distinguished service of an exceptional order" to all ranks of the Indian armed forces....
during his long service.
After his tenure, La Fontaine lived a retired life in Brahmanapalli village in Medak district of Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh , is one of the 28 states of India, situated on the southeastern coast of India. It is India's fourth largest state by area and fifth largest by population. Its capital and largest city by population is Hyderabad.The total GDP of Andhra Pradesh is $100 billion and is ranked third...
where he died on 6 April 2011.