Squadron Leader Rajendra Dev Pant is the Officer Commanding of a Helicopter Unit and has flown 1,079 operational hours on helicopters, including 450 hours in his present assignment, in the Eastern Sector, NEFA, Nagaland, Mizo Hills etc. He has evacuated over 150 casualties. On 19th July 1968, when a message was received that a very serious casualty required evacuation from a difficult helipad at high altitude, Squadron Leader Pant, despite hazardous terrain and adverse weather conditions, volunteered to undertake the evacuation. Immediately on his landing at the helipad the weather deteriorated, but Squadron Leader Pant, with his professional knowledge and courage, skillfully took off observing a little gap in the clouds, and brought back the serious casualty to the hospital and thus saved his life.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Rajendra Dev Pant displayed courage, professional skill and devotion to duty in the best traditions of the Indian Air Force.