Number Name Branch Died in Service? Picture?
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Wing Commander Patrick Russell Earle

Service No & Branch 3965 GD(P) Stream :Fighters
Date of Birth: 05 Jan 1930 Commissioned: 14 Oct 1950 Course: 53 Course
Service End: Retired on 03 Apr 1969 Resigned Died on 29 Nov 2016 (86 Years age) Nick Name : Paddy
Qualifications Held :
Remarks :
Promotions Gazetted
Fg Offr : 14 Oct 1951Flt Lt : 14 Oct 1955Sqn Ldr : 14 Oct 1961Wg Cdr : 01 Oct 1967
Badges Qualified
 
Google the Bharat Rakshak Website for : "P R Earle"
Notes:1)Branch is at retirement and may not match with branch at Commission 2)Notional seniority is reflected in dates of substantive rank.

Appointments, Postings & Other Service Particulars

DatesRankUnitLocationAppointmentPhoto
14 Dec 1961 - 21 Nov 1962Sqn LdrNo.3 SquadronKalaikunda Commanding Officer
16 Oct 1965 - 07 Apr 1968Wg CdrNo.8 SquadronAmbala Commanding Officer
 
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Awards and Decorations


Number of Awards: 1
 
Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry)
Sqn LdrPatrick Russell Earle3965 GD(P)Award Date Announced 01 Jan 1966
Details :

On 10th September, 1965, a formation of Mystere aircraft took off for an operational mission on the western border. When the formation reached the target area, a large numbers of enemy tanks were spotted and intensive barrage of anti-aircraft fire was encountered. Despite a concentrated barrage and against heavy odds, Squadron Leader Patrick Russel Earle led the formation to engage the enemy. When two aircraft of the formation had to abandon the attack because they were too close to turn in, Squadron Leader Earle and his No. 2 orbited at low height to provide cover for the second attack. While doing so, Squadron Leader Earle's aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire and there was a hole of about 4 in diameter in the center of the fuselage. The aircraft caught fire and the hole enlarged to about 12 in diameter. Despite this, Squadron Leader Earle did not bale out but brought back the aircraft to base safely, with the fire warning light on all the time.

Squadron Leader Patrick Russel Earle displayed courage and professional skill.

Unit : 1 Sqn
Reference : Gazette of India dated 12th February 1966 - No.14-Pres/66 dated 1st January 1966
The data in the header section of this page comes from the Gazette of India - Click here to see the source
The URL for this page is http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Database/3965
Note: All the data available here is publicly available in the Gazette of India, published by the Indian Government, or from public domain sources, press releases about Awards and Right-To-Information (RTI) Requests. Additionally data shared by veterans is added to the page with permission. No data with respect to serving officers below the rank of AVM is displayed. Information in Gazette of India and Award citations and photographs as released by the Indian Air Force are the only details displayed.