11 Facts About Smith Dun

Lieutenant General Smith Dun was the commander-in-chief of the Burmese Army from 4 January 1948 to 1 February 1949.

Smith Dun was an ethnic Karen and the first person belonging to the ethnic group to hold the office.

Smith Dun was commissioned a Viceroy's Commissioned Officer on 10 January 1931.

Smith Dun attended the Kitchener College, Nowgong and from there was later selected to attend the Indian Military Academy as part of the first batch of cadets.

Smith Dun was commissioned on 1 February 1935, his seniority later being antedated to 4 February 1934.

Smith Dun was serving attached to the Burma Military Police when the Japanese invaded in 1941.

Smith Dun attended the Staff College at Quetta and then saw further service in Burma, receiving another Mention in Despatches and later was awarded the Military Cross as a temporary Major attached the Burma Intelligence Corps.

Smith Dun was promoted to war-substantive lieutenant-colonel in the Indian Army, to acting colonel on 15 November 1945 and to temporary colonel on 5 May 1946.

Smith Dun retired from the Indian Army on 3 January 1949 as an honorary brigadier.

However, in 1949 when the Karen began their war for independence from Burma, Smith Dun was removed from his position.

Smith Dun was a loyal leader of the Burmese Army while maintaining a strong sense of his Karen ethnicity.