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{{Short description|Indian military officer (1916–2008)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox military person
| honorific prefix = [[Vice Admiral (India)|Vice Admiral]]
| name = B A Samson
| honorific suffix = [[PVSM]]
| birth_date = {{birth date|1916|09|25|df=y}}
| death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|2008|03|18|1916|09|25}}
| birth_place = [[Poona]], [[Bombay Presidency]], [[British Raj]] (now in [[Maharashtra]], India)
| death_place = [[Chennai]], [[Tamil Nadu]], India
| placeofburial =
| image =
| caption =
| nickname = Chippy
| allegiance = {{flag|British Raj}} {{flag|India}}
| branch = {{navy|British Raj}} {{flagicon image|Naval Ensign of India.svg}} [[Indian Navy]]
| serviceyears = 1931-1966
| rank = [[File:British_Royal_Navy_(sleeves)_OF-8.svg|23px]] [[File:13-Indian_Navy-VADM.svg|23px]] [[Vice Admiral (India)|Vice Admiral]]
| commands = [[Western Fleet (India)|Indian Fleet]] {{ship|INS|Delhi|C74}} {{ship|HMIS|Sutlej|U95}} {{ship|HMIS|Jumna|U21}} {{ship|HMIS|Prabhavati}}
| unit =
| battles = [[World War II]]
| awards = [[File:Param_Vishisht_Seva_Medal_ribbon.svg|20px]] [[Param Vishisht Seva Medal]]
|relations = [[Leela Samson]] (daughter)
| laterwork = [[Chief executive officer|CEO]], [[Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders]] [[Chairman]], [[Confederation of Indian Industry|CII]] [[Philips|Philips India]] Vice Chairman, Damodar Bulk Carriers
}}
[[Vice Admiral (India)|Vice Admiral]] '''Benjamin Abraham 'Chippy' Samson''', [[PVSM]] (25 September 1916 – 18 March 2008) was an [[Indian Navy]] Admiral who served as the [[Flag Officer Commanding Indian Fleet]] from 8 January 1964 to 31 May 1966. He was the first Naval Officer to serve as the [[Commandant of the National Defence Academy]]. His daughter is the famous [[Bharatanatyam]] dancer, [[Leela Samson]].

==Early life==
Samson was born on 25 September 1916, in [[Poona]] in [[Bombay Presidency]], to Abraham Samuel Samson Killekar and Sarah Shalom Bapuji Israel Wargharkar. The Samson family was a part of the [[Bene Israel]] community which has base from villages in the [[Konkan]] area of western [[Maharashtra]] near [[Mumbai]] and resided in the [[Ohel David Synagogue]]. Benjamin was the seventh of 10 children. He attended the [[St. Vincent's High School]] in Poona. He left to join the Navy right after school.<ref>{{cite web |title=BA Samson 100 - Biography |url=http://admiralbasamson.com/biography.html |website=admiralbasamson.com}}</ref>

==Naval career==
===Dufferin and mercantile marine===
The Indian Mercantile Marine Training Ship (IMMTS) ''[[Training Ship Chanakya|Dufferin]]'' was established in 1927 to train young men for India's marine service.{{sfn|Katari|1983}} Samson joined the Dufferin in December 1931 and graduated in December 1934. He then joined the British India Steam Navigation Company in 1934 as a cadet.

===World War II===
In September 1939, with the outbreak of the [[World War II]], he was absorbed into the [[Royal Indian Navy]] as a [[Sub-lieutenant]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Rear Admiral B A Samson |url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1963-OCT-DEC-MIN-OF-DEFENCE-/PDF/DEF-1963-12-31_274.pdf}}</ref> He served on the auxiliary patrol vessel ''HMIS Dipavati''.<ref>{{cite web |title=(1168) - Navy lists > Bimonthly > 1940 > October - British Military lists - National Library of Scotland |url=https://digital.nls.uk/british-military-lists/archive/92820834 |website=digital.nls.uk}}</ref> He later commanded another patrol vessel ''HMIS Laxmi''.<ref>{{cite web |title=(1169) - Navy lists > Bimonthly > 1940 > October - British Military lists - National Library of Scotland |url=https://digital.nls.uk/british-military-lists/archive/92820846 |website=digital.nls.uk}}</ref>

He served aboard the [[Frigate]] [[HMIS Indus (U67)|HMIS Indus]] which was on convoy escort duty in the [[Red Sea]] and off the coast of [[Ethiopia]]. He was transferred to the frigate [[HMIS Hindustan]] in 1941, which was part of an escort for a troop convoy from [[Ceylon]] to [[Rangoon]].<ref>{{cite web |title=BA Samson 100 - The Navy / Merchant Marine Navy |url=http://admiralbasamson.com/merchant-marine-navy.html |website=admiralbasamson.com}}</ref> Samson was then selected to undergo a torpedo course and he proceeded to [[England]]. He specialised in [[Anti-submarine warfare]]. After the completion of the course, he was posted to the [[light cruiser]] [[HMS Newcastle (C76)|HMS Newcastle]].

===Post-Independence===
Upon the [[Independence of India]], he held the rank of [[Lieutenant Commander]] and was the [[Commanding Officer]] of {{ship|HMIS|Sutlej|U95}}. Samson was promoted to acting [[Commander]] with effect from 30 June 1948 and was appointed the First [[Military attaché|Naval Adviser]] to the [[List of High Commissioners of India to the United Kingdom|High Commissioner of India to the United Kingdom]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Promotions of Officers in the RIN|url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1948-JULY-DEC-MIN-OF-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1948-07-02_002.pdf|website=Press Information Bureau of India - Archive|date=2 July 1948|access-date=16 February 2020}}</ref> The High Commissioner then was [[V. K. Krishna Menon]], who later served as the [[Minister of Defence (India)|Minister of Defence]]. He served as the Naval Advisor at [[London]] from May 1948 to December 1950 and was promoted acting [[Captain (Indian Navy)|Captain]] on 1 January 1950.<ref>{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Navy Branch) |page=93 |date=14 January 1950 |url=http://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/1950/O-2343-1950-0000-108637.pdf|publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref> It was during this time that ''[[HMS Rotherham]]'' was bought and became the [[destroyer]] {{ship|INS|Rajput|D141}}.

In early 1951 Samson took over as the Commander ([[Executive Officer]]) of the Flagship of the Indian Navy, the cruiser {{ship|INS|Delhi|C74}}. ''Delhi'' was under the command of Captain [[S. G. Karmarkar]].<ref>{{cite web |title=NEW INDIAN NAVAL APPOINTMENTS |url=https://archive.pib.gov.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1952-JULY-DEC-MIN-OF-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1952-09-02_223.pdf |website=archive.pib.gov.in |date=2 September 1952}}</ref> Samson then took over as the [[Chief of Personnel (India)|Chief of Personnel]] at Naval Headquarters, [[New Delhi]].<ref>{{cite web |title=New Chief of Personnel for Naval HQ |url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1951-JAN-DEC-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1951-12-14_239.pdf}}</ref> On 31 December 1953, Samson was promoted to substantive [[Captain (naval)|Captain]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Promotions in Indian Navy |url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1953-JAN-DEC-MIN-OF-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1953-12-31_376.pdf}}</ref>

In 1954 he moved from Naval HQ to sea command and became the Flag Captain of {{ship|INS|Delhi|C74}}. He simultaneously served as the Chief Staff Officer to the [[Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet|Flag Officer Commanding (Flotilla) Indian Fleet]].<ref>{{cite web |title=IN Appointments |url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1954%20DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1954-06-25_172.pdf |website=pibarchive.nic.in |date=25 June 1954}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Rear Admiral B A Samson |url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1963-OCT-DEC-MIN-OF-DEFENCE-/PDF/DEF-1963-12-31_274.pdf}}</ref> He commanded the Flagship INS Delhi for three years. As Flag Captain, he served under three Fleet Commanders - Rear Admirals F A Ballance, [[St John Tyrwhitt]] and [[Ram Dass Katari]]. After handing over command of ''Delhi'' to Captain [[P. S. Mahindroo]], he assumed the office of Captain Superintendent Naval Dockyard Mumbai.<ref>{{cite web |title=PRESS INFORMATION BUREAU (DEFENCE WING) |url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1958-JULY-DEC-MIN-OF-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1958-12-12_234.pdf}}</ref>

===Flag Rank===
Samson was promoted to acting [[Rear admiral (India)|Rear Admiral]] and appointed as the first Naval [[Commandant of the National Defence Academy]], assuming office on 27 December 1958.<ref>{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Navy Branch) |page=129 |date=30 May 1959 |url=https://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/1959/O-1985-1959-0022-89540.pdf|publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref> Promoted substantive rear admiral on 22 November 1962,<ref>{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Navy Branch) |page=149 |date=11 April 1964 |url=http://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/1964/O-1797-1964-0015-81925.pdf|publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref> he was the Reviewing Officer of the Passing Out Parade of the 23rd course on 7 December 1962.<ref>{{cite web |title=BA Samson 100 - The Navy / Commandant, National Defence Academy |url=http://admiralbasamson.com/commandant-national-defence-academy.html |website=admiralbasamson.com}}</ref> In April 1962, he was appointed the next [[Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff (India)|Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff]] (DCNS), succeeding Rear Admiral [[Adhar Kumar Chatterji]]. Since he was the Commandant of NDA, he was to take up this appointment by the end of the year. Commodore [[Sardarilal Mathradas Nanda|S M Nanda]] was to temporarily officiate as the DCNS.<ref>{{cite web |title=NEW DEPUTY CHIEF OF NAVAL STAFF |url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1962-JAN-DEC-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1962-04-24_164.pdf |website=pibarchive.nic.in |date=24 April 1962}}</ref> However, his posting as DCNS was cancelled and he was selected to attend the [[Imperial Defence College]]. He demitted office of Commandant NDA on 31 December 1962 and proceeded to [[London]].<ref>{{cite web |title = Rear Admiral Samson to command Indian Fleet|url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1963-OCT-DEC-MIN-OF-DEFENCE-/PDF/DEF-1963-12-31_274.pdf}}</ref>

On 31 December 1963, while still doing the course at the Imperial Defence College, he was appointed the [[Flag Officer Commanding Indian Fleet]] (FOCIF).<ref>{{cite web |title=Admiral Samson to command Indian Fleet |url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1963-OCT-DEC-MIN-OF-DEFENCE-/PDF/DEF-1963-12-31_274.pdf}}</ref> Rear Admiral Samson took over as the FOCIF on 4 January 1964. In his own words, ''"This to me was the perfect culmination of my naval career – commanding a fleet of several fine warships at sea."'' He flew his flag on his old ship, the ''INS Delhi'' for a couple of days before transferring to the new {{ship|INS|Mysore|C60}}.<ref>{{cite web |title=BA Samson 100 - The Navy / Flag Officer Commanding Indian Fleet |url=http://admiralbasamson.com/flag-officer-commanding-indian-fleet.html |website=admiralbasamson.com}}</ref>

After commanding the Indian Fleet for about two and a half years, Samson retired on 22 November 1966.<ref>{{cite web |title=BA Samson 100 - Offshore Life / Retirement & Beyond |url=http://admiralbasamson.com/retirement-beyond.html |website=admiralbasamson.com}}</ref>

==Later life==
Post retirement, Samson had a successful business career. He served as the [[Chief executive officer|CEO]] of the [[Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders]]<ref>{{cite web |title=BA Samson 100 - Offshore Life / CEO, Mazagon Docks |url=http://admiralbasamson.com/ceo-mazagon-docks.html |website=admiralbasamson.com}}</ref> from 1966 to 1973. During this time, he led the Frigate project. The first Indian built Frigate - {{INS|Nilgiri|F33|6}} was built by the Mazagaon Dock and handed over to the Indian Navy. The then [[Prime Minister of India]], [[Indira Gandhi]] commissioned INS ''Nilgiri'' on 3 June 1972. In a rare gesture, on 3 June 1972 Samson was promoted to the honorary rank of [[Vice Admiral (India)|Vice Admiral]] for his outstanding contribution to the Frigate project and the Mazagaon Dock.<ref>{{cite web |title=BA Samson 100 - Offshore Life / CEO, Mazagon Docks |url=http://admiralbasamson.com/ceo-mazagon-docks.html |website=admiralbasamson.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Navy Branch) |page=1088 |date=29 July 1972 |url=http://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/1972/O-1321-1972-0031-58877.pdf |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref>

He then served as the [[Chairman]] of the [[Confederation of Indian Industry]] (CII),<ref>{{cite web |title=BA Samson 100 - Offshore Life / Chairman, CII |url=http://admiralbasamson.com/chairman-cii.html |website=admiralbasamson.com}}</ref> [[Chairman]] of [[Philips|Philips India]]<ref>{{cite web |title=BA Samson 100 - Offshore Life / Chairman, Philips India |url=http://admiralbasamson.com/chairman-philips-india.html |website=admiralbasamson.com}}</ref> and Vice Chairman of Damodar Bulk Carriers.<ref>{{cite web |title=BA Samson 100 - Offshore Life / Vice Chairman, Damodar Bulk Carriers |url=http://admiralbasamson.com/vicechairman-damodar-bulk-carriers.html |website=admiralbasamson.com}}</ref>

==Bibliography==
*{{citation|first1=Ram Dass|last1=Katari|title=A Sailor Remembers|year=1983|isbn=9780706920642|publisher=Vikas}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-mil}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Adhar Kumar Chatterji]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Flag Officer Commanding Indian Fleet]]|years=1964-1966}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Sardarilal Mathradas Nanda]]}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Major General]] [[Ibrahim Habibullah]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Commandant of the National Defence Academy]]|years=1958-1962}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Air Marshal]] K L Sondhi}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Ram Dass Katari]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Chief of Personnel (India)|Chief of Personnel]]|years=1951-1954}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Sardarilal Mathradas Nanda]]}}
{{s-end}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Samson, Benjamin Abraham}}
[[Category:1916 births]]
[[Category:2008 deaths]]
[[Category:Bene Israel]]
[[Category:Indian Jews]]
[[Category:Indian Navy admirals]]
[[Category:Chiefs of Personnel (India)]]
[[Category:Flag Officers Commanding Indian Fleet]]
[[Category:Royal Indian Navy officers]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Param Vishisht Seva Medal]]
[[Category:Commandants of the National Defence Academy]]
[[Category:Jewish military personnel]]
[[Category:Alumni of the Royal College of Defence Studies]]
[[Category:Indian naval attachés]]

Benjamin Abraham Samson - Revision history

Bot at 04:03, 27 October 2022