On 9th November 1966, at about 1030 hours, an operational fighter trainer aircraft with two pilots on board crashed while making an emergency landing at one of the forward airfields. Corporal Sukumar Ghosh was working in the dispersal area at that time rushed towards the aircraft. When he reached the scene, the fire had already started to spread. Unmindful of his personal safety, he first rescued the injured pilot in the burning rear cockpit. He then went forward to the front cockpit, and with the assistance of another airman, successfully unstrapped the injured and semi unconscious pilot and carried him out of the cockpit. He then went back to the front cockpit to salvage the parachutes out of the burning wreckage. By this time the rear cockpit was fully engulfed by flames. Despite this, he entered the front cockpit for the second time to salvage the parachutes. It is only when he was ordered by his officers present on the spot to desist from making further efforts that he gave up the attempt most reluctantly

Throughout, Corporal Sukumar Ghosh displayed exemplary courage and initiative.

On 9 Nov 66, Cpl Ghosh observed a MiG-21 U fighter-trainer crash and catch fire on the runway of the airfield. he immediately ran to the scene and rescued the injured pilot from the rear seat unmindful of his own safety. Then he carried the pilot from the front seat in an injured and semi conscious state to a place of safety. Both the pilots recovered safely later on.