Flying Officer (Now Wing Commander) Nedyam Bhaskar Menon (2994) distinguished himself in the Jammu and Kashmir Operations by carrying out a number of sorties to LEH when the weather was not conducive to flying. He also operated regularly to Poonch and Tithwal carrying urgently required rations, military stores and ammunition. During the tour of operations he completed a magnificent total of 400 operational hours of flying.

For the valuable services rendered by him during Jammu and Kashmir Operations, he has been awarded the Vir Chakra.

On 19th June, 1956 a detachment of 3 Sikh Light Infantry while acting in “aid to civil Power” at Khonoma in Naga Hills was completely surrounded by heavily armed hostiles. Their supplies of food and water from the loyal Nagas were cut off shortly thereafter. An emergency request was therefore made to the nearest I.A.F. Station for airdrop of water and food. Two attempts made on the 26th and the 27th June failed due to inclement weather. On 28th June Sqn Ldr Menon, the Detachment Commander, personally took up a Dakota with the requisite supplies. In spite of bad weather and continuous heavy automatic fire of the aircraft and although the dropping zone was very narrow being only 40 yards by 15 yards, Sqn Ldr Menon with extraordinary courage, skill and utter disregard for his personal safety successfully dropped food and water to the garrison. His daring feet saved the garrison and enabled it to hold on till relief came. He repeated this performance under similar hazardous conditions on 1st July, 1956.

The action of Sqn Ldr Nedyam Bhaskar Menon was in keeping with the best traditions of the I.A.F.