Rinchen joined the
Nubra Guards in 1948 at the age of 17 years. He was trained by (then) Subedar
Bhim Chand,
VrC & bar, of Lahaul. For his role in this war, Chewang Rinchen is regarded among the 'Saviours of Ladakh', alongside
Bhim Chand, Col.
Thakur Prithi Chand, MVC, and Lt. Col.
Kushal Chand, MVC. Fighting in the
Nubra Valley, Rinchen was promoted through the ranks and was awarded a
Mahavir Chakra for bravery. At 17 years of age, he was the youngest recipient of the award.
Between wars Rinchen also served in the 1962
India-China War, where he was awarded a
Sena Medal. On 1 April 1964, he was granted a permanent commission in the regular Indian Army with the rank of
second lieutenant (seniority from 21 August 1962), and relinquished his commission in the Jammu and Kashmir Militia. He was promoted to lieutenant on 21 August 1964.
Bar to Maha Vir Chakra In the
Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, Rinchen, now a major in the
Ladakh Scouts, led the capture of the Chalunka complex of the
Pakistani Army and the strategic outpost of
Turtuk. For these actions, he was awarded a bar to his MVC, being one of only six Indian soldiers so honoured. This battle was known as the
Battle of Turtuk. The citation for the second
Maha Vir Chakra awarded to him reads:
Later career Promoted to the substantive rank of major on 6 February 1978, Rinchen retired from active service with effect from 1 May 1980, when he transferred to the reserves. On 1 October 1983, he was re-employed and assigned to command 246 Transit Camp with the local rank of lieutenant-colonel, while serving with the
Jammu and Kashmir Rifles. Rinchen finally retired as a full colonel in 1984. ==Legacy==