Air Vice Marshal Vajjha Sriman Narayana Murthy (3587) Medical (Retired) was commissioned in the Army Medical Corps in 1948 and after a brief period of service in the Army was seconded to the Indian Air Force. Air Vice Marshal Murthy, in spite of his being older in age had the determination to go through the flying training in 1950 and became a fully qualified pilot of the Indian Air Force. He was one of the first few

Medical Officers in country to have achieved this distinction.

Air Vice Marshal Murthy was sent abroad for post-graduate studies from where he qualified as a Otolaryngologist and he was classified in this specialty in 1960. While serving at the Institute of Aviation Medicine, he designed an 'Anechoic' Chamber for a specialised examination of pilots which resulted in considerable saving of foreign exchange.

In 1978 Air Vice Marshal Murthy was appointed as President of Central Medical Establishment of the Indian Air Force dealing with medical evaluation of civil and military aircrew where he performed a sensitive task in a judicious and tactful manner and brought about further improvements. He was appointed as a consultant in the specialty of Otolaryngology for the Armed Forces in view of his long experience. The Officer's contribution in the field of Aviation Otolaryngology has been most outstanding and meritorious. His extensive research on the effects of noise, vibration and disorientation in flight and on ground has been a tremendous help in improving the flying and operational efficiency.

Air Vice Marshal Vajjha Sriman Narayana Murthy (Retired) has thus rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.