Wing Commander William MacDonald Goodman was commissioned in the Indian Air Force as General Duties (Pilot) on I April 1949.

On I September 1965, Pakistan launched a strong armour attack in the Chhamb sector with a view to cut the Indian communication lines to Kashmir. This posed a great threat to Indian security. Wing Commander Goodman, commanding No.31 Squadron flying the Mystere IVa fighter bombers at Pathankot, was entrusted with the task of destroying enemy tanks and troop concentrations in the Chhamb sector.

The squadron immediately went into action and blunted the enemy offensive by destroying his tanks and armoured vehicles. Between 2 and 8 September, the squadron undertook many reconnaissance and ground attack missions in the area. These included rocketing of tank concentrations at Troti and Chhamb and strafing of enemy positions at Jaurian.

On 9 September the Squadron did the more commendable work. A photo recce and strike mission was undertaken between Kasur and Raiwind by two aircraft. They attacked a train carrying tanks and destroyed twenty of them. This was followed by an attack on a tank and heavy gun concentration at Chawinda. Many of these reconnaissance and ground attack missions were led by Wing Commander Goodman himself in the face of heavy air and ground opposition. He was a source of inspiration to all ranks under his command. Under his guidance the Squadron maintained a very high standard of serviceability which contributed to a number if successful strikes on enemy positions. Wing Commander Goodman was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra for conspicuous gallantry, leadership and professional skill.

During the recent operations Pakistan, Squadron Leader Anthony Louis Mousinho was the Flight Commander of an Operational Fighter Reconnaissance Squadron. In addition to other operational missions, he led his section of 11 missions against enemy ground positions and pressed home the attacks with courage and determination against a heavy barrage of enemy fire. He undertook dangerous reconnaissance missions in complete disregard of his personal safety. During one such mission he successfully located a tank train, which was subsequently attacked by our aircraft, resulting in 25 Patton tanks being knocked out.

His exemplary courage and determination have inspired the men under his command to a high sense of devotion to duty.

During the conflict with Pakistan in December, 1971, Wing Commander Murari Lal Trehon was in command of a FighterBomber Squadron in the Western Sector. He flew several operational missions deep into the enemy territory and destroyed a number of enemy tanks, bunkers and gun positions in the face of heavy ground fire. His squadron also carried out a large number of fighter recce sorties deep into enemy territory which were of great value in planning and execution the subsequent operations successfully.

Throughout the operations, Wing Commander Murari Lal Trehon displayed gallantry, leadership and flying skill of a high order.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, as a pilot in a FighterBomber Squadron, Flight Lieutenant Ashok Kumar Singh flew 15 missions deep in the enemy territory in the face of heavy ground and air opposition. On the 17th December, 1971, he was ordered to undertake a photo reconnaissance mission which involved flying the aircraft at extreme range and over a target which was heavily defended. While he was over the target his aircraft was hit by enemy ground fire resulting in leakage of fuel. Undeterred and in complete disregard to his personal safety he completed the mission flying the aircraft skillfully and landed safely with critical fuel state, and brought back vital information.

In this action, Flight Lieutenant Ashok Kumar Singh displayed gallantry, professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Aditya Vikram Pethia served with a Fighter-Bomber Squadron in the Western Sector. On 5th December, 1971, he was detailed as leader of a tactical reconnaissance mission over Chistian Mandi to seek and destroy enemy armour vehicles. He spotted a train moving towards Bhaval Nagar transporting about 15 tanks. Despite heavy enemy ground fire, he made two attacks on the train and destroyed two enemy trains. Unmindful of his personal safety, he made another attack to silence the enemy anti-aircraft gun. However, his aircraft was hit by enemy ground fire and crashed.

Flight Lieutenant Aditya Vikram Pethia displayed gallantry and devotion to duty of a high order.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Nayanathara Kunjan Pillai Raghava Menon was attached to a Fighter Bomber Squadron. He flew a number of operational missions deep inside enemy territory despite heavy ground and air opposition. On the 16th December, 1971, while on a bombing and strafing mission, his aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire. The shell shattered the canopy and fragments of the shell got embedded in his body injuring him seriously and hampering his vision. Though be was more than seventy nautical miles away from his base, he brought the aircraft back to base safely instead of abandoning it.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Nayanathara Kunjan Pillai Raghava Menon displayed courage, determination and professional skill.

Wg Cdr Sarvajit Singh Hothi has been commanding an operational squadron with effect from 10 Jun 88. His systematic approach, quest for excellence and the stress laid on training of Sqn pilots enhanced the operational status of the Sqn. His planning and approach to operational status ensured that all night strike qualified pilots successfully undertook live heavy armament stores firing at a range.

The task of planning and co-ordinating of night exercises was entrusted to Wg Cdr Hothi. His meticulous planning and effective co-ordination involving different fleet was exemplary.

Wg Cdr Hothi has flown nearly 1000 hrs on MiG-23 BN ac, all accident free. He has a total of 4055 hrs to his credit on single engine jet aircraft.

For his professional excellence, zeal, contribution towards operational preparedness, leadership, devotion to duty, the President is pleased to award Vayu Seva Medal to Wg Cdr SS Hothi.

Late Wing Commander Sanjoy Bose was the Commanding Officer of one of the Squadrons of Air force, from 13 Aug 90 to 19 Sep 91. He has undergone the Staff Course in UK.

On 19 Sep 91, Late Wing Commander Bose was airborne for a live RP strike over a Range. While pulling out from the dive, he experienced a severe engine surge followed by engine overheat and thermo-regulator warning indications. While dealing with this multiple emergency, with very little height at his disposal, Wg Cdr Bose realized the gravity of the situation and informed the ground control of his intention to eject. At this stage there was enough height for him to abandon the aircraft successfully, but his aircraft was pointing towards a village. He piloted his stricken aircraft away from this populated area and in doing so delayed his ejection to a critically low altitude. The aircraft crashed in an open field near the village but Wing Commander Bose was fatally injured. Late Wing Commander Bose, thus averted a major catastrophe by sacrificing his own life in keeping with the best traditions of the IAF.

Late Wg Cdr Bose was an extremely dedicated and capable officer. With his rare acumen and sound leadership, he ensured that the Squadron was operationally geared up to meet any eventuality. He was frank and forthright officer, whose humane behavior towards his men made him an outstanding commander.

For the supreme sacrifice made by him in saving invaluable lives and for his selfless devotion to duty, spanning more than twenty years in the Indian Air Force, the President is pleased to award Vayu Seva Medal (POSTHUMOUSLY) to Wg Cdr Sanjoy Bose.

Wing Commander Mohinder Pal Singh Gill was commissioned as a fighter pilot on 22 December 1973. A Qualified Flying Instructor and a Fighter Combat Leader, he commanded a MiG-23 BN Squadron (Sqn) from Oct 92 to Sep 93. He is also an alumni of Defence Services Staff College. Wg Cdr MPS Gill took over command of Sqn after the tragic loss of previous Squadron Commander in a fatal flying accident. The morale of the Sqn was low. However, Wg Cdr MPS Gill, with great perseverance and skill rejuvenated the squadron. After taking over he paid special emphasis on raising the operational standard of the Sqn. Due to his efforts the Sqn enjoyed a very high operational status. Under his able guidance the squadron prepared for an exercise wherein the performance of Sqn came up for praise from every quarter including the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Air Command who flew with the Sqn. During the Command Gunnery Meet 92-93, the squadron did extremely well overall, particularly in bombing and won the overall championship for the year. During Air Staff Inspection in March 1993 the Sqn was assessed as 'Average Plus' in flying and 'Above Average' in ground subjects. The Sqn was declared the best fighter Sqn in Western Air Command for the year 1992-93. These achievements were possible due to Wg Cdr Gill's exemplary leadership, professional competence, and organisational ability. During his tenure the aircraft serviceability was also sustained 75% despite many restraints faced due to the shortfall in aeroengines and other spares.

For exceptional devotion to duty the President is pleased to award 'Vayu Sena Medal' to Wg Cdr Mohinder Pal Singh Gill.

Group Captain Paramjit Singh Gill (14097) F (P) assumed command of No. 31 Sqn (MiG23 BN), AF on 12 Jun 95. In the 22 months of his command tenure the officer brought in remarkable changes in every field of endeavour of a frontline ground attack squadron.

In terms of training he achieved 100% operational status of all his aircrew by 06 May 96 by according his priority of U/T ops training. At the same time he ensured that the fully ops pilots consolidated in varying modes of weapon delivery, the role of the squadron. He also successfully undertook four flight trials on the MiG-23 which inter alia also included blind LDA using the GPS. There were no accidents during his tenure.

In the field of maintenance his unit achieved 100% serviceability on all ac on three separate occasions and sustained this serviceability for long periods on each occasion. This was largely possible due to his involvement and demand for excellence. Significant achievements of the officer in this field included a superbly crafted tool crib which was appreciated by the AOC-in-C during his recent inspection. Also remarkable was the achievement of the Sqn in ops TRS of loading 4 x 500 Kgs bombs in an impressive time of less than five minutes. In addition to all this, the officer paid a lot of attention to administration and welfare of his men by providing amenities from the Sqn resources.

For his significant contribution in managing an efficient frontline fighter squadron by his leadership, devotion to duty and thirst for change, the President is pleased to award "Vayu Sena Medal" to Group Captain Paramjit Singh Gill.