By completing more than 37 operational sorties over enemy’s strong holds in close support of the Indian Army, Wing Commander Norohna has been showing outstanding gallantry. He carried out his Squadron’s offensive role with maximum success in the face of adverse conditions.

He has been an outstanding leader both in air and on ground. His brilliant leadership, fearless determination and unswerving devotion to duty have set an inspiring example to all under his command.

While a prisoner, Flt. Lt. D’Cruz was often beaten and threatened with death by his captors but neither ill treatment nor the offer of monetary rewards could undermine his loyalty to his country or service.

The fortitude and devotion to duty displayed by Flt. Lt. D’Cruz while a prisoner of war in accordance with the highest traditions of his service and an example to his fellow officers and men.

Fg. Off. (Now Sqn. Ldr.) George Douglas Clarke (3295) proved himself as one of the outstanding pilots in the Jammu and Kashmir Operations. He carried out numerous close support sorties with excellent results. His coolness, skill and courage were of the highest order during the Operations.

The officer carried out 75 Operational Sorties totaling about 200 hours mostly in close support of our ground troop. His accurate bombing, rocketry and gunnery inflicted severe damage on enemy positions and often foiled enemy advances.

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

Flt. Lt. (now Wg. Cdr.) Randhir Singh (2135) flew 185 hours of Operational flying in close support of our troops while commanding a flight of a ground attack Squadron during the Jammu and Kashmir Operations.

He always set a magnificent example by engaging targets with vigour and zeal in spite of his aircraft being hit by enemy fire on several occasions. His leadership, coolness and courage in the face of enemy, inspired confidence in other pilots of the Squadron.

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

Squadron Leader (now Wing Commander) EZRA D’SYLVA MASILLAMANI (1774) displayed a high degree of skill, courage and determination whilst flying in KASHMIR Operations. First in the capacity as a Flight Commander, he flew over 100 operational hours in close support of our ground forces on tactical and offensive sorties, flown mostly during adverse weather. He had thus proved himself to be skilled pilot and an inspiring leader. Again as a Squadron Commander, the officer completed many sorties on his second tour of operations. He attacked GILGIT and enemy gun positions near CHAKHOTI and TITHWAL. He also took part in the GILGIT operations and attacked the KISHENGANGA BRIDGE in the face of intense enemy “fire” with complete disregard for personal safety.

On another occasion this officer located the enemy concentration in a forest near PALANDRI, the headquarters of the so-called AZAD KASHMIR Forces and successfully attacked Military objectives in the area with rockets and cannons. To ensure complete destruction of the enemy targets, he took off leading another formation to attack the targets again. He attacked the target with good result killing several enemy troops and over 100 mules which were being employed for transporting arms and ammunition to the front line in POONCH. As a result of these attacks, the enemy pressure was considerably reduced. The location and subsequent destruction of the enemy concentration proved to be of immense value to our Army.

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

Fg. Off. Geoffery Charles Wilks (3284) (since released) rendered meritorious service during Jammu and Kashmir operations by carrying out 70 Operational sorties in close support of our ground troops. His flying was outstanding for its remarkable skill, courage and determination to carry out the tasks allotted to him in complete disregard for his personal safety and thereby set a good example for the other pilots of his Squadron to follow.

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

The late Sqn. Ldr. Baldev Singh Dogra (1921) completed a very large number of sorties during the Jammu and Kashmir Operations. Being a pilot of great skill he was responsible in effectively intercepting and destroying many enemy vehicles on the Kohala Bagh Road.

All his sorties were marked for his skill in flying, determination to get at the enemy at all costs and for unfailing devotion to duty. Often he took on difficult targets without hesitation and concluded his missions with success even when bad weather intervened. He had on many occasions carried out low level offensive reconnaissance on the Kohala Bagh Road and brought back valuable information which proved of immense value.

For his excellent leadership throughout the Kashmir Operations, he has been awarded the Vir Chakra.

This officer has done nearly 60 hours of Operational flying in a very short period. On all occasions he has displayed a cool head and has pressed home his attacks to maximum advantage.

As a flight Commander this officer took a leading part in most of the sorties carried out in the Northern Sector prior to the advent of winter conditions over the Kashmir Valley.

Sqn. Ldr. Kalyaniwala set a high standard in precision bombing and his attacks on the enemy picquets on the high hills near ZOJILLA Pass prior to the ground attack were most valuable. One attack in particular, near GUMRI, enabled our troops to break through the DRAS. For this he was commended by the Corps Commander.

Awarded the Vayu Sena Medal for professional ability and exceptional devotion to duty.

Squadron Leader Bharat Singh was in command of one of our Fighter Squadrons between June 1959 and April 1962. He was entrusted with the task of forming a Fighter Aerobatic team. He started with four aircraft in March 1960 and within a month led the team in a public display at Bombay. As a result of their impressive performance, he was authorized to start training a nine-aircraft team. The aerobatics training had to be done in addition to the normal operational and training commitment o the Squadron. The nine-aircraft team successfully staged a public display in January 1962. The standard attained by the team was due to the professional skill and training capabilities of Squadron Leader Bharat Singh.

As a Unit Commander, Squadron Leader Bharat Singh ahs all along displayed a high degree of professional skill and devotion to duty.