Squadron Leader Rajendra Singh Tandon (9432) Flying (Pilot), was a member of first Air Force team that participated in the second Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica in 1982-83.

He volunteered to take on the responsibility of off-loading the entire equipment for the expedition from the ship. He organized the off-loading and worked untiringly for more than 24 hours at a stretch to ensure that over 40 tons of material was offloaded in the shortest possible time. At the base camp, he organized and executed the various administrative tasks with a great sense of purpose, responsibility and efficiency.

He carried out various reconnaissance trips on foot and open snow-scooter in sub zero temperature to select a site for preparation of a skiway. For this purpose, he traversed through the hazardous terrain full of dangerous hidden cracks and crevasses with total disregard to his personal safety. His courage, dedication and zeal contributed a great deal in achieving the task in a short span of ten days in a totally alien environment and severe climatic conditions.

On the night of 18th February, 1983, a severe snow storm struck the base camp and the blizzard lasted for two days trapping four members of the expedition in their damaged hut. The base camp was ravaged and a large number of scientific and other equipment were either blown away or damaged. On the 21st February, 1983, at 0400 hours, a rescue mission was launched from the ship. Squadron Leader Rajendra Singh Tandon volunteered for the rescue mission. The ship's bow could be brought to the shelf of the ice for a very short period of time. With total disregard for his personal safety and displaying bravery of high order, Squadron Leader Tandon jumped from the ship on to the shelf and proceeded on foot to the base camp where he rescued the trapped members and salvaged most of the scientific equipment and the precious data they had gathered.

Squadron Leader Rajendra Singh Tandon thus displayed courage and selfless devotion to duty.