Bhubaneswar, Jan 3: Retired naval officer SH Sarma passed away at a private hospital in Bhubaneswar at the age of 102. Sarma had taken part in the 1971 Indo-Pak war.

Sarma was the senior most surviving veteran of the World War II and all the wars India has fought since Independence.

After 35 years of distinguished and unparallel service, Admiral Sarma retired in February 1978, as the Commander-in Chief of the Eastern Naval Command. On retirement at the age of 55, he returned to Odisha and was staying here since.

He had left home at the age of 14 to join the Indian Mercantile Marine Training Ship – “Dufferin” – where he topped his 3 year course, and was awarded the Viceroy’s Gold Medal.

He joined the Royal Indian Naval Reserve in December 1942 and saw action in the Burmese and Malaysian Theatres during the final years of World War II, and was even a part of the Japanese Surrender Ceremony at Singapore.