Wg. Cdr. William MacDonald Goodman, MVC. 3571 GD (P)
1965 Indo-Pakistan War,
No. 31 Squadron.

Wing Commander William MacDonald Goodman was commissioned in the Indian Air Force as General Duties (Pilot) on I April 1949.

On I September 1965, Pakistan launched a strong armour attack in the Chhamb sector with a view to cut the Indian communication lines to Kashmir. This posed a great threat to Indian security. Wing Commander Goodman, commanding No.31 Squadron flying the Mystere IVa fighter bombers at Pathankot, was entrusted with the task of destroying enemy tanks and troop concentrations in the Chhamb sector.

The squadron immediately went into action and blunted the enemy offensive by destroying his tanks and armoured vehicles. Between 2 and 8 September, the squadron undertook many reconnaissance and ground attack missions in the area. These included rocketing of tank concentrations at Troti and Chhamb and strafing of enemy positions at Jaurian.

On 9 September the Squadron did the more commendable work. A photo recce and strike mission was undertaken between Kasur and Raiwind by two aircraft. They attacked a train carrying tanks and destroyed twenty of them. This was followed by an attack on a tank and heavy gun concentration at Chawinda. Many of these reconnaissance and ground attack missions were led by Wing Commander Goodman himself in the face of heavy air and ground opposition. He was a source of inspiration to all ranks under his command. Under his guidance the Squadron  maintained a very high standard of serviceability which contributed to a number if successful strikes  on enemy positions. Wing Commander Goodman was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra for conspicuous gallantry, leadership and professional skill.

Wing Commander Prem. Pal Singh was commissioned in the Indian Air Force on 15 April 1950. In the beginning he served as a Dakota pilot but later he switched over to the Canberra aircraft.

During the Indo-Pak War 1965, Wing Commander Prem Pal Singh commanded No. 5 "Tuskers" Squadron, stationed at Agra. The unit equipped with the Canberra bomber, was assigned the triple task of tactical bombing, close support and armed patrolling. Under his able guidance the squadron carried out tactical bombing of various targets to destroy the Pakistan Air Force on the ground. Led by Wing Commander Prem Pal Singh himself, Pak army camp east of Gujarat and airfields at Chaklala, Dab, Murid, Akwal, Risalwala, Wagowal, Sargodha and Peshawar were successfully attacked by his bombers.

The squadron gave close support to the army in Kasur, Khem Karan, Pasrur, Chawinda and Sialkot sectors. Bombs were dropped on the enemy concentrations at all these places. During the period of war the squadron undertook 39 sorties of armed patrolling over Agra, Palam, Ambala, Halwara and Adampur. Most of the operational missions over the enemy territory were carried out during the hours of darkness. The targets were identified in the moon-light. These dangerous operational sorties were undertaken in the face of heavy enemy anti-aircraft fire with exceptional courage and determination.

Wing Commander Prem Pal was awarded the Mahavir Chakra for displaying a high sense of duty and gallantry. Wg Cdr Prem Pal Singh, subsequently rose to the rank of Air Marshal. He was awarded AVSM and PVSM for distinguished service.

Sqn Ldr Ajjamada Boppayya Devayya was an instructor with the Air Force Flying College at the outbreak of the war. He was posted to No.1 "Tigers" Squadron at Adampur flying the Mystere IVa fighter bomber.

On 7th September 1965, Sqn Ldr Devayya was a part of a formation of aircraft on a strike mission to Sargodha Airfield in Pakistan. He was the last aircraft of the mission to finish the attack and as he was turning away he was intercepted by an enemy F-104 Starfighter aircraft. After Sqn Ldr Devayya successfully evaded the missiles launched by the enemy aircraft, his attacker , flying a faster aircraft caught up with him and fired his guns damaging Sqn Ldr Devayya's aircraft.

Sqn Ldr Devayya, displaying true fighting spirit opted for aircombat with the superior enemy aircraft and shot down the attacker. In the process, he made the supreme sacrifice as he probably crashed or was killed.

For showing conspicuous gallantry in putting the safety of his colleagues before his own, and In electing to get into an aerial combat with the F-104 even while his own aircraft was damaged, Squadron Leader Devayya displayed Valour of the highest order. Sqn Ldr Devayya was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra Posthumously. Till date the only instance of a Posthumous MVC to the Indian Air Force.

Wg. Cdr. Padmanabha Gautam, 4482 F(P), MVC and Bar, VM.
1965 Indo-Pakistan War & 1971 Indo-Pakistan War.
Jet Bomber Conversion Unit  and No.16 Squadron.

Squadron Leader Padmanabha Gautam was commissioned in the Indian Air Force on 1 April 1953.   Squadron Leader Gautam had already seen action in the Congo Operations flying the Canberra bomber of No.5 "Tuskers" Squadron in support of the United Nations Ground Troops. Squadron Leader Gautam was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal for his role in the Congo Operations.

During the Indo-Pak War 1965, Squadron Leader Gautam was commanding the Jet Bomber Conversion Unit (JBCU) flying Canberra bombers at Agra. On the outbreak of the hostilities he was assigned many difficult and dangerous missions into enemy territory at short notice. He undertook six offensive, tactical and close support missions deep into enemy territory between 6 and 21 September 1965, notwithstanding the heavy ground fire and Pak Sabre jet attacks.

These missions included reconnaissance into enemy territory, bombing of Akwal and Gujarat airfields and strafing of enemy concentrations in Gujarat and Chawinda areas. For displaying exceptional courage, determination and devotion to duty he was decorated with Maha Vir Chakra.

Wing Commander Gautam got another opportunity to distinguish himself during the Indo-Pak War 1971. He then commanded 16 Squadron of the Indian Air Force on the Western front. This bomber squadron was allotted the task of penetrating deep into enemy territory to attack vital targets. Wing Commander Gautam led a number of attacks. On 5 December 1971 he led an attack on Mianwali airfield. This airfield was well protected with anti-aircraft guns. The moment Indian aircraft appeared over the airfield , they were subjected to an intense barrage of AA and small arms fire. Leading the squadron with skill and determination Wing Commander Gautam flew at low level, avoided ground fire and attacked the target with great precision. The raid severely damaged the airfield. The raid was repeated on 7 December with equal success. He also successfully led a rocket and gun attack on the railway marshalling yards in the Montgomery-Raiwind area despite heavy AA fire.

Wing Commander Gautam was awarded a Bar to the Mahavir Chakra for professional skill. Courage and leadership of a high order. This promising officer was killed in a flying accident on 25 November 1972 when his MiG-21FL crashed during takeoff.

Group Captain Chandan Singh was a distinguished Transport Pilot who as a Squadron Leader during the 1962 Conflict was awarded the Vir Chakra for showing courage and valour in flying reinforcements and supplies to Indian Forces in the Chushul Sector. 

During the Bangladesh Operations, Group Captain Chandan Singh, was the Officer Commanding of an Jorhat Air Force Station in the Eastern Sector. When hostilities broke out, he was in the forefront of the air operations conducted for the liberation of Bangla Desh. Group Captain Chandan Singh was also responsible for the planning and execution of the special helicopter operations to airlift two companies of troops to the Sylhet area.

When it became necessary to overcome the obstacles in the advance of the Army towards Dacca, he planned and executed the move of nearly 3000 troops and 40 tons of equipment and heavy guns with the extremely limited helicopter force at his disposal. This operation entailed landing of troops and equipment very near the heavily defended areas by night. Prior to each mission, he personally carried out reconnaissance in the face of severe opposition from the enemy, deep into the enemy territory, to supervise the progress of the helicopter air lift and to guide and inspire his pilots who were facing heavy opposition from ground fire,

Later , he undertook a further 18 missions in the same operation , always leading the landing at new places. On many occasions, his helicopter was hit by ground fire but this did not deter him from further missions. The success of this major airborne operation contributed significantly to the fall of Dacca and capitulation of the Pakistani Armed forces in Bangladesh. the leadership, drive and determination , coupled with the bravery shown by Gp Capt Chandan Singh, over an extended period of time, were in the highest traditions of the IAF.