During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Squadron Leader Ujjal Singh Pruthi was serving as a surgical specialist in on Air Force Hospital in the Eastern Sector. It was entirely due to his foresight and planning that the hospital could meet all demands placed on it. With his professional knowledge and administrative ability, he stepped up the hospital to a high state of efficiency. As the battle casualties started pouring in, he singlehanded carried out surgical operations for long periods. On one occasion, 41 casualties were attended to and emergency operations carried out in a period of 48 hours. On another occasion, when 22 casualties were brought in, he worked in the Operation Theatre for 36 hours at a stretch. The hospital treated 148 battle casualties during a period of ten days. As a result of prompt attention, all the cases were saved without losing a single life.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Ujjal Singh Pruthi displayed professional skill and devotion to duty.

Group Captain Ujjal Singh Pruthi was commissioned in the Medical Branch of the Indian Air force in February, 1958. Having Served as General Duty Medical Officer at various Air Force units for five year, he specialised in advanced surgery through a course of nearly 13 months duration. Later, he also underwent a short course in Aviation Medicine.

As a surgeon of repute, Group Captain Pruthi not only gained valuable experience in appointment of his specialisation at various Service hospitals but also set up a high record performance thereby earning the appreciation of the patient who went through him as well as his superior officer in the Branch.

The exceptional professional skill and decimation of this officer found him, in course of time, performing valued and diversified duties as an adviser, post graduate teacher, university examiner and clinical surgeon. He has consistently displayed trem endous capacity for sustained hard work of high clinical caliber, cheerful disposition and commendable degree of compassion for patients under his care.

During his present tenure with Air Force Command Hospital, the Officer has organized a dedicated, well-knit and highly efficient surgical team under his stewardship which can be pride of any medical institution.

For his outstanding professional acumen, devotion to duty and exceptional clinical service to the patient community, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Group Captain Ujjal Singh Pruthi.