Air Commodore Madhukar Mallannah Shrinagesh was commissioned in January, 1940 and was seconded to the Medical Branch of Indian Air Force In January, 1941. He saw active service on the Burma Front during World War II while he was the medical officer of No.1 Squadron. He was mentioned in despatches for his commendable operational service. After Independence, till the integration of the medical services, he served as the Director of Medical Services at Air Headquarters and played a major part in shaping the medical service of the Air Force. He also served as Deputy Command and Dean of the under graduate wing of the Armed Forces Medical College, Poona. He attended Advance Aviation Medicine Course in USA in 1950-51. In 1957, he specialized in aviation medicine and was instrumental in setting up the School of Aviation Medicine at Bangalore. The reputation earned by this institution was due to the initiative, zeal, hard work and above all the high standard of professional ability of the officer.

Air Commodore (now Air Vice Marshal) Chaman Lal Mehta was commissioned in the Air Force in 1940. He has held important appointments in Air Headquarters as well as in the Command of various Air Force Units. He attended the Advance Flying Training Course and Administrative and Discipline Course during 1941­42. As Director of Personnel, Air Headquarters, he tackled many intricate problems of personnel administration. As Station Commander, Jalhali, he introduced numerous new training schemes which resulted in vastly superior output of trained personnel and in reducing the wastage rates. In his capacity as Director, Air Force Works, during the period of Chinese aggression, he, despite limited resources, completed construction of many new airfields. He has rendered distinguished service throughout his career.

Air Commodore Madhukar Laxman Akut was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in November, 1941. During World War II he saw active service on the Burma Front. He held the important appointments in Air Headquarters as well as in the Command of Air Force Units. He served as an Instructor in a flying training school for training pilots and navigators. His professional knowledge and devotion to duty were instrumental in turning out batches of well trained pilots and navigators during those formative days of the Air Force. After his graduation in the Specialist Navigators' Course in the U.K., he was posted to a Bomber Squadron where he did commendable work in improving bombing techniques. During the Chinese aggression in 1962, in his capacity as Senior Officer-in-charge Administration in Headquarters, Eastern Air Command, he did excellent work in establishing not only the Command Headquarters, but also in setting up promptly many operational stations in the eastern sector. As Director Policy and Plans at Air Headquarters, he actively assisted in planning the expansion and consolidation of the Air Force.

Air Commodore Charandas Gurudas Devasher was commissioned in 1942. He attended a Junior Commanders' Course at No. 1 Ground Training School and also a Staff Course at Defence Services Staff College, Wellington in 1950-51. He assumed the Command of an Air Defence Control Centre at a critical time during the India­Pakistan conflict of 1965. Under his able guidance the Air Defence proved a well balanced force. After the cessation of hostilities, he with foresight, imagination, administrative and operational guidance, consolidated the Air Defence structure in the area under his Command. He made use of the available resources to the maximum and with utmost economy to meet the requirements of air defence.