Flight Lieutenant Anshu Kumar Matta was located at the Base Camp on Siachen Glacier as Captain of a helicopter detachment.

On 13 Aug 85 at 0815 hrs, a company commander, located at an extremely difficult forward post, passed a message to the Officerin-Charge Cheetah Helicopter Operation that due to heavy hostile shelling, one person was seriously wounded and could be saved only if he was speedily evacuated. Flt Lt AK Matta was close by and heard the message being conveyed. He, without wasting a moment for obtaining clearance, immediately took off leaving the clearance for the sortie to be obtained by the Task Force Commander. Not knowing the exact location of the casualty and to avoid delay in reaching the wounded soldier, he landed in the area of Company Headquarters which he was familiar with and picked up the Company Commander in his helicopter.

With utter disregard to his personal safety, he reached the area where hostile shelling was still continuing. The place where the wounded NCO lay was at an altitude of 19,200 feet above mean sea level. Due to heavy snow, no helipad could be constructed at such a short notice. Flt Lt AK Matta maneuvered and landed his aircraft at that altitude under bad weather and poor visibility conditions.

Against all odds and fully award of the risks, Flt Lt AK Matta lifted the casualty and brought the wounded person to the Base Camp for first aid. He only waited till the helicopter was refuelled and immediately too off and brought the casualty to a General Hospital at the rear.

For his exemplary courage, selfless devotion to duty and matchless initiative, the President is pleased to award Vayu Seva Medal to Flight Lieutenant Anshu Kumar Matta.