Awards
Double Honours Squadron Leader Padmanabha Gautam
Period : 1971 Indo- Pak warIn the 1965 war, Squadron Leader Padmanabha Gautam displayed exceptional courage by flying six offensive support mission into Pakistan and was honoured with the Mahavir Chakra. In the second Indo-pak war of 1971, Gautam now a Wing Commander got another opportunity to distinguish himself. He was in a command of the 16 Squadron of the Indian Air Force, deployed to attack vital targets in Pakistan. On his very first mission to strike the heavily defended Mianwali airfield, The wing commander and his men were subjected to intense anti-aircraft fire. But Being an experienced fighter pilot, the wing commander flew at low levels, skilfully evaded the ground fire and bombed the target with great precision and accuracy. The raid severely damaged the airfield. A second raid on the airfield and another on the railway marshalling yards near Rawalpindi were equally successful. Wing Commander Gautam was honoured with the Bar to the Mahavir Chakra. | Other CategoriesHero of Phir Thil Major Satyapal ChopraHavildar Fateh Singh Lone Gunner Sepoy Dewan Singh The Gallant Havildar Lance Havildar Daya Ram The Unstoppable Chuna Ram Havildar Chuna Ram Major Hari Chand Blood in the Snow Sepoy Amar Singh Hero in Civies civilian labourer, Ismail Mohammad Rifleman Dhonkal Singh Master Strategist Lt.Colonel Khanna Main CategoriesParam Vir ChakraAshoka Chakra Maha Vir Chakra Kirti Chakra Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak Ati Vishisht Seva Medal Vir Chakra Shaurya Chakra President's Police and Fire Services Medal for Gallantry Sena Medal |
