Military: First Sikh to be inducted into the United States Army at Fort Lewis, Washington
On July 22, 1918, while still an Indian citizen, Bhagat Singh Thind joined the US Army to fight in World War I. A few months later, while stationed at Camp Lewis, Washington, on November 8, 1918, Bhagat Singh Thind, a turban wearing “Hindu” was promoted to the rank of Acting Sergeant. He had not even served in his new position for a month, when the war was declared ended. Bhagat Singh received an “honorable discharge” on the 16th of December 1918, with his character designated as “excellent”.
Dr. Thind was one many Sikhs who enlisted along side Allied forces. Sikhs made up the majority of the 4,726 South Asian soldiers killed while fighting in France during World War I. Although Bhagat Singh was never sent overseas, he refused to take his turban off, honoring the tradition of Sikhism.
A Special Tribute to Dr. Thind’s Military Service
My dear David Bhagat Thind,
Sat Siri Akal!! Sardar Inder Singh Jammu, former Mayor of Barking and Dagenham (U.K) has told me many times about Dr. Bhagat Singh Thind, his personality, work, teaching and specially his serving in the U.S Army during 1st World War here in Europe. Today, I have gone through some parts of his website and it has given me enough initiative to write you with some links of mine field of study-research work from my two books, “How Europe is indebted to the Sikhs, Vol-I & II ( Role of Sikh soldiers in Europe during WW I & II.
I am proud of Dr. Bhagat Singh Thind as myself also belong to Kamboj Community, living and working in Holland since 1973. Hope that you will like my email and below are the links for your consideration and information.
Regards – Bhupinder Singh Holland
Below are important links dedicated to Sikh Soldiers who gave their lives for their respective nations in military service.
Online Memorial: Their Names Liveth For Evermore
Sikhs In The Salient: A Unique War Commemoration – Johan Meire
Armistice Day – Bhupinder Singh Holland
Work Well Done – Bhupinder Singh Holland
Online Memorial:Their Names Liveth For Evermore
Memorial: Sikh Casualties of World War I – Bhupinder Singh Holland
Memorial:Sikh Casualties of World War II – Bhupinder Singh Holland
French-Sikh Soldiers – Bhupinder Singh Holland
Memorial: Sikh Casualties in Italy – Bhupinder Singh Holland
Remembering Sikh Soldiers In Italy – Bhupinder Singh Holland
Two World Wars And The Sikhs – Bhupinder Singh Holland
Tributes Paid To Sikhs Who Sacrificed Lives For Freedom Of People Of Europe – Bhupinder Singh Holland
More than 80,000 Sikhs died unsung during World War I and II – Bhupinder Singh Holland
How Europe Is Indebted To The Sikhs – Bhupinder Singh Holland
Remembrance 90th Anniversary 1st Gas Attack – Bhupinder Singh Holland
Battles of Leper, Belgium (1914-1915) – Bhupinder Singh Holland
Official Document of
Dr. Thind’s Enlistment
Official Document of
Dr. Thind’s Honorable Discharge
Official Document of
Dr. Thind’s Honorable Discharge
Official Certificate of
Dr. Thind’s Honorable Discharge
The below image is Company #2 Development Battalion #1, 166th Depot Brigade, of Camp Lewis, State of Washington. You can also click on this image for larger view.
