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.

During the Indo-Pak War 1965, Squadron Leader Gautam was commanding the Jet Bomber Conversion Unit (JBCU) flying Canberra bombers at Agra. On the outbreak of the hostilities he was assigned many difficult and dangerous missions into enemy territory at short notice. He undertook six offensive, tactical and close support missions deep into enemy territory between 6 and 21 September 1965, notwithstanding the heavy ground fire and Pak Sabre jet attacks.

These missions included reconnaissance into enemy territory, bombing of Akwal and Gujarat airfields and strafing of enemy concentrations in Gujarat and Chawinda areas. For displaying exceptional courage, determination and devotion to duty he was decorated with Maha Vir Chakra.