Hilary Zuzarte

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Brigadier/Air Commodore Dr. Hilary Zuzarte (October 25, 1928 – December 7, 2020) was a one-star Army / Air Force Officer in the Medical Corps of the Pakistan Armed Forces. He is credited with being one of the few Christians with high military honors. His older brother, Air Commodore Charles H. Zuzarte was also a decorated Electronics Officer in the Air Electronics Depot of the Pakistan Air Force.

Brigadier - Air Commodore Hilary F. Zuzarte, Sitara-e-Basalat

Education

He was born in Karachi, then British India, and was the third child of Edward Florence Zuzarte and Maria Reginaduciana De souza of Goa, India. He completed his primary education at St. Fidelis, Mussoorie, India, High School at St. Patrick's High School, Karachi, Pre-Medical from D. J. Sindh Government Science College, and finally Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery from Dow Medical College, Karachi. After graduation, he worked as a lecturer at Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences, Hyderabad, Sindh.

Early days Pakistan Army / Pakistan Air Force

He joined the Pakistan Army in 1962 and was seconded to the Pakistan Air Force at PAF Base in Peshawar. He married Mary Iris Rose Dsouza and began his long career in the PAF. He was sent on training to Spain and the United States and completed a course in Aeromedical Science. He was stationed as a Medical Officer at the PAF Hospital in Peshawar during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965.

SMO PAF Hospital, Peshawar

He was stationed as a Senior Medical officer in Mauripur, later known as Masroor Base, during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.

Later years

He served as Senior Medical Officer in both PAF Base Masroor and PAF Base Peshawar, Director Aero Medical Institute at Masroor Base, and finally Director Medical Services at Air Headquarters Peshawar.

Legacy

He was a gentle, soft-spoken man, and an excellent doctor. I am told that patients would wait in long lines as they preferred to see him as their attending physician. He saw patients of all ranks as well as non-commissioned personnel.

As a doctor, he had to attend air crashes and their follow-up investigations, which on occasions took him and the team into hazardous, high-altitude, mountainous areas. As a Group captain, he served as a witness in the "Badaber Trials" in which officers were facing Court-martial. His unbiased testimonial during the trial, to a certain extent, led to the acquittal of the accused officers.

Later life

Served as Director of Medical Services in Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority.

Eid Day - Morning Rounds - Gifts for Patients - PAF Hospital, Peshawar

Served on the board of Holy Family Hospital, Karachi.

He was an active member of the St. Vincent Depaul Committee, St. Anthony's Parish (Karachi) for many years.

Awards

• Sitara-e-Basalat – 1977
• Tamgha-e-Imtiaz

References

The Story Of The Pakistan Air Force. A Saga Of Courage And Honour - pg 685

Tributes to PAF’s Christian officers

Times of India : Asia’s Highest Cross in Pakistan

Grounded Pakistani Journalist Cyril Almeida Has Goan Roots

Christian Voice (Karachi) 22nd August 20, 1977 “Brothers Decorated”

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