India -- Vir Chakra

[Ed_Haynes]

The third-tier military gallantry award of India is the Vir Chakra, awarded for acts of gallantry in the presence of the enemy.

Through 2003, this medal has been awarded 1,315 times with 10 first bars and no second bars.

The example shown was awarded for gallantry on 4 December 1971 to 3554638 NC(E) Mangat Ram, Sikh Regiment. This is the only VrC to ahve been awarded for combat gallantry to a non-combatant (enrolled).

The Gazette notification:

"NC(E) Mangat Ram was in a company-defended locality in Jammu and Kashmir. The enemy subjected this locality to repeated attacks in battalion strength, supported by heavy artillery fire. With utter disregard for his personal safety, he carried ammunition over gazardous hilly terrain and kept the forward defended localities supplied with ammunition.

?In this action, NC (E) Mangat Ram showed courage and determination of a high order."

[Ed_Haynes]

To see the VrC in context, this is the group to 2941940 Naik Udairaj Singh, VrC, 6th Rajput Regiment (it has been shown before).

His award was also for the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War.

"On 11 December 1971, Sepoy Udai Raj Singh was with a company of Rajput Regiment which was assigned the task of attacking an enemy position in the Eastern Sector. As the assault progressed half way up to the objective, the enemy brought heavy machine gun fire. With utter disregard for his safety, he rushed forward, took up position and started engaging the enemy machine gun. Later, he moved towards the bunker, leapt inside and killed the crew.

"Thereafter, he fought from bunker to bunker along with his section and was instrumental in capturing the objective.

"In this action, Sepoy Udai Raj Singh displayed determination and devotion to duty of a high order."

[Ed_Haynes]

And, the man behind the medals, Naik Udairaj Singh. (Wearing his ribbons in the wrong order.)

Edited January 23, 2009 by Ed_Haynes