Soon after commencement of operations against Pakistan, Flying Officer Dilip Kamalakar Parulkar volunteered for operational duties and was attached to a fighter squadron. On his first mission, where he reached the target area, he met very heavy ground fire. With complete disregard to his personal safety, he went in to attack the ground target. During this attack, his aircraft was hit by enemy fire and a bullet pierced the aircraft and injured his right shoulder. He informed the leader that his right arm has been disabled and that he was dropping out of disengagement. The leader advised him to eject himself if he found difficult to fly than lose his valuable life. He flew it back to base with his left hand and landed and made a successful landing.

Flying Officer Dilip Kamalakar Parulkar showed commendable courage, skill and devotion to duty.

Wing Commander Dilip Kamalkar Parulkar was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in March 1963. Ever since, he has held various appointments like the Flying Instructor at Air Force Academy and has been on deputation to Singapore for two years. Presently, he is serving a ground tenure as Battalion Commander at National Defence Academy.

During Indo-Pak conflict in 1965, his aircraft was hit by enemy fire and had injured his right shoulder. Despite the advise from his leader to eject he flew the crippled aircraft back to base, for which he was awarded Vayu Sena Medal

During 1971 Indo-Pak War, Wg Cdr DK Parulkar while a Prisoner of War in Pakistan displayed initiative, pride in his nation and in the Indian Air Force of an exceptional degree. He was the leader of an escape attempt in which he along with two colleagues escaped from the POW Camp. This attempt carried out in the face of a hostile, treacherous and unpredictable enemy required relentless hard work, determination and valour which was in the highest tradition of the IAF. This act compelled the enemy to respect the calibre of the IAF not only in the air but on the ground also, as well as our great nation.

For dedicated and distinguished service of a very high order the President is pleased to award VISHISHT SENA MEDAL to Wing Commander Dilip Kamalkar Parulkar.