On the 29th April 1960 Flight Lieutenant K.N. Natarjan displayed presence of mind, devotion to duty and airmanship of a high order when the aircraft under his command which was in flight over most difficult mountainous terrain experienced complete loss of power in one engine. He manipulated the aircraft with cool courage and skill, made a successful singleengine landing and saved the crew and the aircraft. His courage and airmanship were a source of inspiration to his comrades.

On the 29th October 1959, Flying Officer Chopra displayed great presence of mind in skillfully maneuvering a Dakota aircraft of which one engine had to be feathered when in flight over most difficult mountain terrain. Although the aircraft was continuously losing height he managed to land it safely and thus saved the crew and the aircraft from certain disaster. His courage and skill when faced with a dangerous situation were in the best traditions of the Air Force.

On the 29th August 1959, Sergeant Ghosh volunteered to be dropped at great personal risk into a very small and dangerous dropping zone in a remote area in the midst of thick jungle where there were unpredictable crosscurrents of wind. His action fulfilled pressing operational necessity. The courage and skill shown by him in the face of such hazards were in the best traditions of the Air Force.

During the year 1959-60, the IAF was engaged in supply dropping missions in NEFA and NHTA areas. The aircraft had to operate over treacherous terrain where the weather is unpredictable. The dropping zones were numerous and abnormally small in size. Under the hazardous conditions this young officer showed tremendous zeal and devotion to duty by carrying out a 1000 hours of flying on these missions in little over a year.

His enthusiasm and devotion to duty in the face of adverse flying conditions was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Air Force.

On 1st May 1961, one Dakota aircraft, while on a sortie near the U.P./Tibet border area was reported missing. Squadron Leader Sahgal, who was commanding a Helicopter unit, volunteered to lead the Helicopter Detachment personally to locate the missing aircraft and conduct the rescue operations. This task not only involved reconnaissance over a hazardous mountainous area under unfavourable weather conditions, but also entailed considerable administrative and logistic planning in moving the detachment at short notice to various advanced outposts. He ferried the helicopter form his parent unit to an advanced base on 2nd May commenced intensive search of the area where the aircraft was report4ed to have crashed. Due to conflicting reports regarding he location of the crashed aircraft, it became frequently necessary to modify the operational and logistical plans and adjust it suitably to meet the situation. Next day he resumed the search and succeeded in establishing that the aircraft had not crashed I the area reported. By this time information had been received that the surviving members of the crew had reached one of the advance Army out posts. Squadron Leader Sahgal had therefore to move his detachment further up in order to rescue the survivors who were injured and needed immediate evacuation. Despite the difficult terrain and bad weather, he succeeded in locating a s suitable landing area. In evacuating the survivors, Squadron Leader Sahgal took an extremely bold step to fly out two survivors at a time, there by completing the evacuation in the least possible time. With a view to recover the bodies of the dead, he was detailed to further reconnoiter the area. In spite of fatigue, he carried out the search. During all these flights, Squadron Leader Sahgal had to fly his helicopter practically to the limits of the performance under adverse weather conditions.

On 10th October, 1960, Squadron Leader M S Grewal (3481) was detailed as the leader of a formation exercise comprising 5 aircraft. The aircraft was peeling off after completion of the exercise at a height of approximately 1000 feet when the No.2 collided with Sqn Ldr Grewal's aircraft resulting in damage to the elevator of such a nature that the control column could be moved backward with difficulty but not forward at all. The situation was further aggravated by the fact that the port drop tank was full due to failure of the fuel transfer system.

This extreme emergency, caused by no fault of his, called for the highest degree of airmanship, and Sqn Ldr Grewal by his coolness, presence of mind and skill, carried out a successful flapless landing thereby preventing what possibly could have been a fatal accident involving the total loss of the aircraft and a valuable life.

During his operational tour in NEFA area as Navigator and later as Navigational Leader, Sqn Ldr M D Mendhekar has flown a thousand operational hours, which is very creditable indeed. He has also been serving in the J and K area where he has completed an additional 650 hours of operational flying. As a Navigator, he has set a very high examples to his juniors by his devotion to duty and superior skill in navigation. He has built up the morale of the Squadron in general and of the junior navigators in particular.

After 1947 Indian Air Force was faced with the ardous task of disposing of stocks of accumulated war surplus explosives. This task was also hazardous since deterioration had already set in and the stocks had become highly sensitive and dangerous to handle.

In 1953, Squadron Leader P K Desikan took over command of an ammunition depot which had large stocks of heavily corroded 20mm High Explosive / Instantaneous Ammunition, deteriorated high explosive bombs, 40mm ammunition , practice bombs and other miscellaneous explosive stores. Infact the deterioration was so much tat even slight friction while handling the round or while lifting the ammunition boxes could cause a serious explosion. Squadron Leader P K Desikan, fully aware of the hazards and risks involved, undertook the disposal task on operational priority and carried out the demolition at a fast rate. As the Commanding Officer of the Depot from 1953 to 1955, Squadron Leader P K Desikan directed and supervised the task of demolition of the unserviceable and dangerous stock of these explosives. He exposed himself to grave danger for a period of two years while engaged in the execution of the task..

In accomplishing the task, Squadron Leader P K Desikan has displayed a very high sense of duty, courage and professional skill.

Wing Commander Parshottam Lal Pandhi was in command of a transport squadron engaged on Air Transport support operations in difficult terrain and adverse weather conditions in the North East Frontier Agency and Nagaland areas in 1960-61.

He carried out more than 1200 hours of flying on supply dropping missions in adverse conditions and showed commendable devotion to duty.

In March 1960, when airlift requirements to our northern frontiers increased considerably, a transport squadron under Wing Commander Lazaro was detailed to meet the commitment. It became necessary for Dakotas to fly beyond Leh to Chushul at greater frequency and also to newly selected dropping zones in treacherous mountain terrain. In order to ensure safety of aircrew and aircraft, new routers and t4echniques had to be devised. Wing Commander Lazaro undertook several trial flights in this area and worked out new and safe routes for his squadron to follow. Her organized and operated his squadron in a very efficient manner. Many a month, his unit flew more than 1200 operation hours.

In , 1961, as Officer in Charge Flying, Srinagar, he planned and coordinated the airlift for the entire Jammu and Kashmir area and succeeded in achieving all the tasks efficiently with limited staff.

Wing Commander Lazaro displayed leadership, professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order.

As a Squadron Leader, Wing Commander Anthony Frank Gama commanded a Transport Squadron engaged in air transport operations over NEFA and NHTA from September 1959 to July 1962. In about a year and a half he carried out more than 1000 hours of flying on supply dropping missions and transport operations. He showed professional skill and organizing ability of a high order.

Squadron Leader Hardyal Singh Dhillon was commander of a transport flight operating from Jamnagar during the Goa Operations. He had to fly continuous ferry trips to all parts of India to bring in vitally needed spare parts required for the operations. On 18 December 1961 with a large quantity of ammunition and explosives aboard, he made a successful landing at an unfamiliar airfield with no night landing facilities. Squadron Leader Dhillon displayed commendable courage, professional skill and devotion to duty.

Flight Lieutenant Bikram Singh Jaswal has been employed as a helicopter pilot since 1960 in the Ladakh area. He was one of the first few pilots to operate the newly acquired Mi-4 helicopters in this area. He undertook trials and carried out landings at advance landing grounds located at high altitudes with skill and courage. The series of trial flights undertaken by him, with loads and at various altitudes culminated in landing the Mi-4 for the first time at an airfield situated over 16000 feet above sea level.

While at Leh, in December 1960, he evacuated a jawan who was dangerously ill in one of our forward posts. He has carried out as many as 40 casualty evacuations. He has flown more than 1400 operational hours on helicopters over Ladakh and NEFA and displayed professional skill and courage of a high order.

Flight Lieutenant Gautam was one of the pilots operating with the Canberra Unit in the Congo during 1961. On 6 December 1961, he was ordered to attack Kolwezi airfield in Katanga. Despite extremely adverse weather conditions and heavy enemy opposition, he courageously and successfully carried out several attacks on the airfield and completely destroyed the Fouga aircraft which was harassing UN Ground forces. He also shot up three other Katangese aircraft on the field and neutralized other installations around it. Flight Lieutenant Gautam also carried out several other successful missions over Elizabethville in close support of the ground forces operating against the Katangese.

Throughout the operations Flight Lieutenant Gautam displayed commendable courage and devotion to duty in the face of the enemy.

Warrant Officer Nitendra Narayan Choudhry was engaged on air transport operations in the NEFA and NHTA areas during the period 1954-1962, and carried out more than 20000 hours of operational flying over dropping zones situated in difficult and dangerous terrain where the weather was unfavourable and flying and supply dropping operations are very hazardous. He has also taken part in relief operations and special survey flights.

His keenness and devotion to duty in the face of adverse flying conditions have been in the best traditions of the air force.

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.

On 4th October 1962, one of our helicopters was stranded in Galwan outpost. In order to rescue its crew, it was essential to send a relief helicopter with a servicing party. No pilot was competent to undertake this difficult task was immediately available. Flight lieutenant Satnam Singh Sodhi, who was being trained for operations in the Ladakh area volunteered to carry out this hazardous mission though he had only 78 hour of flying experience on this type of aircraft and was not familiar with the area. Tough considerable risk was involved, Flight Lieutenant Sodhi was permitted to proceed on this mission. He landed at Galwan successfully at approximately 1630 hours in fading light. Immediately after th e servicing party had alighted, he flew out the stranded crew to a safer place.

In voluntarily undertaking this task, for which he was not fully qualified, Flight Lieutenant Satnam Singh Sodhi displayed a great sense of responsibility and a high degree of professional skill.

Squadron Leader Mohinder Singh Khalsa has been a Flight Commander of one of our Transport Squadrons in J and K area since April , 1962. This is his third operational assignment in this area. During the recent Chinese hostilities, he undertook a number of reconnaissance missions in forward areas in the face of enemy fir. When our troops were retreating from Daulat Beg oldi, he was one of the pilots who successfully dropped essential winter clothing and foodstuffs to them. He has flown about 900 operational hours to which more than 500 hours were during the period April - December 1962.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Khalsa has displayed professional skill, courage and devotion to duty.

Squadron Leader Bernard Fernandes has been functioning as a Navigation Leader in one of our transport squadrons in J & K area since 1st April 1961. He was responsible for bringing up to operational standards all the junior navigators of the squadron. He did this in record time and it paid rich dividends in the operations in Ladakh in October November 1962.

During the period of actual hostilities he personally led many sorties to reconnoiter new advanced landing grounds and dropping zones as well as to obtain information relating to the invading Chinese forces. On one occasion after one of his own sorties for airlifting AMX tanks Squadron Leader Fernandes, guided another aircraft ot execute a safe landing on the unprepared surface of Chushul aerodrome whose runway had been damaged..

Throughout, Squadron Leader Fernandes displayed initiative, courage and professional skill in the best traditions of the Air Force.

Squadron Leader Kaup Mohandas Kamath is a very experienced transport pilot. In addition to his normal duties as a Squadron Commander, he has also acted as an instructor and an examinaer. In the former capacity he has trained almost all the pilots now posted to NO.6 Wing and in the latter he examined more than fifteen Dakota crews in one year. He cheerfully undertook the latter duty in addition to his normal assignment.

Squadron Leader Kamath has shown exceptional devotion to duty and leadership of a high order.

Squadron Leader Samuel Venkatarao was a navigator of a detachment which was detailed for famine relief operations under very adverse weather conditions in the Mizo Hills area in 1960. He contributed greatly towards successful air-drops of more than 300 tons of food at various difficult dropping zones in that area. In October 1961, he was mainly responsible for setting up a detachment at Gauhati at a very short notice. With an average of two Dakotas a day, he ensured the delivery of 500 tons of supplies to the forward post at Towang in one month. The success of the detachment was due to his ingenuity, resourcefulness and ceaseless efforts. He has so far flown over 5730 hours including about 1000 hours by night. He is also an experienced and qualified Navigation instructor and has about 2000 hours of instructional flying to his credit.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Samuel Venkatarao has shown courage, organizational ability and professional skill.

Squadron Leader Iype Kovoor was serving in a Transport Squadron operating in NEFA area in 1962. When the Chinese forces attacked one of the forward posts of the Assam Rifles, our troops had to withdraw and required food and arms urgently. The terrain was unmapped and the weather was wrought and gusty. Despite these hazards, Squadron Leader Kovoor volunteered to air drop the vital supplies to our troops and did so successfully, But for this timely help, they would have been in a difficult situation.

Squadron Leader Kovoor displayed courage and devotion to duty of a high order.

Squadron Leader Madan Mohan Dutt has been operating with a transport squadron in J & K Area since May, 1961. In October 1962, when the Chinese forces surrounded our forward post at Galwan in Ladakh, the only means of transport of supplies to tis post was by air. Squadron Leader Dutt, with his vast experience of this terrain, volunteered to navigate the first air-drop sortie. The dropping zone was in a very narrow and dangerous area. In spite of this and unfavourable weather conditions, he located the dropping zone and skillfully carried out cent percent successful drops. He undertook many such sorties and set a fine example to his aircrew.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Dutt has displayed courage, professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order.

Squadron Leader Arjan Dev Ralli has been engaged in transport support operations in J & K area since October 1961. During his operational tours he has executed nearly 950 landings at forward airfields and advanced landing grounds.

He has utilized his experience in formulating data for the safe operation of different types of aircraft and has impaired flying instruction to innumerable pilots on these machines. This has supplemented considerably the operational aircrew strength of the Air Force and contributed in large measure ot the capacity of the transport squadrons.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Ralli has displayed courage determination and professional skill of a high order.

Squadron Leader Dalip Wikram Chauhan has been engaged in air-transport operations in J & K area since 13th May 1961. During the Chinese aggression on our northern borders, he displayed great courage and devotion to duty in carrying out reconnaissance missions of areas held by the enemy. Squadron leader Chauhan was also assigned the task of airlifting AMX tanks to Chushul. The first 400 yards of the runway at Chushul had been rendered unserviceable and he would have been well justified in returning to the base. Realizing the importance of his mission, he took a calculated risk and decided to land his aircraft thus setting a fine example to other aircrews.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Chauhan has displayed courage, determination and professional, skill of a high order.

Squadron Leader Rishi Prakash Vasisht was in NEFA and J & K areas for a period of seven years. On 14th March, 1963, he was detailed for a supply dropping mission in an An-12 transport aircraft in Ladakh area. While flying, he experienced tremendous strain on the flying controls, owing, as was discovered later, to the snapping of the elevator train cable. The aircraft nosed up violently and started to climb with a dangerous drop in airspeed. At this moment, Squadron Leader Vasisht displayed a commendable sense of airmanship and presence of mind in assessing the cause accurately and taking necessary corrective measures, saving the aircraft and bringing its crew to safety.

Squadron Leader Vasisht displayed courage, devotion to duty and professional skill of a high order.

Flight Lieutenant Sudesh Kumar Dahar has been employed on Flying Instructor's duties at one of our Jet Training Wings for the past five y ears. Since June 1961, he is serving in that Unit as Flight Commander. Out of a total of nearly 3000 hours of flying, he has flown about 1200 hours as an instructor on Jet aircraft. All through his stay at the Jet Training Wing, this officer has set an excellent personal example which is a source of inspiration to his fellow instructors in the performance of their duties. Time and again he had been entrusted with difficult trainees, with all of whom he succeeded in achieving remarkable results.

Flight Lieutenant Dahar has displayed devotion to duty and professional skill of a high order.

Flight Lieutenant John Philipose has been operating in J & K area with transport units since 1956. He is one of the first few pilots to fly Packet aircraft over Ladakh area in hazardous conditions over difficult hilly terrain. He undertook the task of airlifting heavy and cumbersome engineer stores to our forward airfields and carried out a total of 43 such missions. As these loads were not cable of ejection in the air, each of the sorties was fraught with grave danger. He has flown about 800 operational flying hours.

Flight Lieutenant Philipose was associated with the evaluation and trials of Packet aircraft fitted wit the newly acquired Jet engine, and contributed considerably to the successful landing and take-off at Daulat Beg Oldi.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Philipose has displayed courage, professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order.