MacGregor Memorial Medal | 28 Apr 2025

Source: TH 

Five military personnel were conferred the MacGregor Memorial Medal by Chief of Defence Staff for their outstanding contributions in military reconnaissance, exploration, and adventure for 2023 and 2024. 

• History: The award was instituted on 3rd July 1888, to honor Major General Sir Charles Metcalfe MacGregor, the founder of the United Service Institution of India (USI) in 1870. 
  • USI is a national security and defense services think tank based in New Delhi.  
• About Award: Initially awarded for military reconnaissance and exploration, the medal’s scope expanded post-1947 to include adventure activities like mountaineering, sailing, and ultra-running.  
  • It is open to all ranks of the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, Territorial Army, Reserve Forces, Rashtriya Rifles, and Assam Rifles. 
• Charles Metcalfe: He was a British officer and explorer. He contributed to the Anglo-Bhutan War (1864–1865) by surveying and mapping frontier regions, gathering intelligence, and strengthening British knowledge about the difficult Himalayan terrain.