List of Param Vir Chakra Awardees

List of Param Vir Chakra Awardees:

Param Vir Chakra :

The Param Vir Chakra is India’s highest wartime gallantry award, given to officers and enlisted personnel across all branches of the Indian Armed Forces. It recognizes acts of the utmost valor and selflessness in the presence of the enemy, whether on land, at sea, or in the air. Instituted in January 1950, with retroactive effect from August 15, 1947, the medal is crafted from bronze and can be awarded posthumously. The Param Vir Chakra is India's equivalent to the Victoria Cross in the United Kingdom and the Medal of Honor in the United States. In this article, we honor the courageous awardees of the Param Vir Chakra and their incredible stories.

Param Vir Chakra Awardees: Stories of Extraordinary Valor

1. Major Somnath Sharma (Posthumous) - First Param Vir Chakra Recipient

Major Somnath Sharma of the Kumaon Regiment, born on January 31, 1923, in Himachal Pradesh, became the first-ever recipient of the Param Vir Chakra. He led a heroic defense in Kashmir against overwhelming enemy forces on November 3, 1947, sacrificing his life for the nation.

2. Lance Naik Karam Singh - Hero of the 1948 Battle of Tithwal

Born on September 15, 1915, in Punjab, Lance Naik Karam Singh earned the Param Vir Chakra for his courage during the 1948 Jammu & Kashmir operations, especially in the Battle of Tithwal.

3. Second Lieutenant Rama Raghoba Rane - Pioneer of Jammu & Kashmir Recapture

From Karnataka, Second Lieutenant Rane of the Corps of Engineers played a crucial role in recapturing Jhangar in the 1947-48 Jammu & Kashmir conflict. His heroism earned him the Param Vir Chakra.

4. Naik Jadunath Singh (Posthumous) - Heroic Defense of Naushahra

Born in Uttar Pradesh, Naik Jadunath Singh displayed unmatched bravery in defending Naushahra from enemy forces in 1947, posthumously earning the Param Vir Chakra.

5. Company Havildar Major Piru Singh (Posthumous) - Battle at Tithwal Ridge

Hailing from Rajasthan, Piru Singh of the 6 Rajputana Rifles fought valiantly in the 1948 Jammu & Kashmir operations, securing a posthumous Param Vir Chakra.

6. Captain Gurbachan Singh Salaria (Posthumous) - UN Peacekeeping Mission Hero

Captain Salaria of the 1 Gorkha Rifles saved the UN Headquarters during a mission in Congo in 1960, earning the Param Vir Chakra posthumously for his courage.

Param Vir Chakra Awardees in the 1962 Indo-China War

7. Major Dhan Singh Thapa - Battle of Sirijap Valley

Major Thapa of the Gorkha Rifles demonstrated exceptional courage in Ladakh, repelling a Chinese assault and securing the Param Vir Chakra.

8. Subedar Joginder Singh (Posthumous) - Fierce Tawang Defender

Born in Punjab, Subedar Joginder Singh fought heroically in the Tawang sector in the 1962 war, earning a posthumous Param Vir Chakra.

9. Major Shaitan Singh (Posthumous) - Rezang La's Unyielding Hero

Major Singh of the Kumaon Regiment defended Rezang La in Ladakh, a feat of immense bravery that awarded him the Param Vir Chakra posthumously.

Indo-Pak War Heroes: 1965 and 1971 Param Vir Chakra Recipients

10. Company Havildar Major Abdul Hamid (Posthumous) - Tank Destroyer

Uttar Pradesh’s Abdul Hamid displayed extraordinary courage during the 1965 Indo-Pak War, destroying enemy tanks and earning the Param Vir Chakra.

11. Lieutenant Colonel Ardeshir Burzarji Tarapore (Posthumous) - Battle of Phillora

Lt. Col. Tarapore of Mumbai showed unparalleled gallantry in 1965, continuing to lead his men despite severe injuries.

12. Lance Naik Albert Ekka (Posthumous) - Gangasagar's Fierce Warrior

Lance Naik Ekka of Ranchi, in the 1971 Indo-Pak War, heroically captured a fortified Pakistani position, earning him a posthumous Param Vir Chakra.

13. Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon (Posthumous) - Aerial Defense of Srinagar

Punjab’s Flying Officer Sekhon engaged six enemy jets in 1971, an act of valor that won him the Param Vir Chakra posthumously.

14. Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal (Posthumous) - Tank Warfare Hero

Arun Khetarpal led a daring attack during the 1971 war, holding his ground despite overwhelming odds and earning the Param Vir Chakra.

Kargil War Heroes: Brave Stories from 1999

18. Captain Vikram Batra (Posthumous) - Iconic Kargil Hero

Known for his bravery in the 1999 Kargil War, Captain Batra’s courageous actions made him an icon of valor, posthumously earning him the Param Vir Chakra.

19. Lieutenant Manoj Kumar Pandey (Posthumous) - Hero of the Kargil Conflict

Uttar Pradesh’s Lieutenant Pandey demonstrated unmatched bravery in Kargil, pressing forward despite injuries and earning the Param Vir Chakra.

20. Grenadier Yogendra Singh Yadav - Unstoppable Courage

With multiple bullet wounds, Grenadier Yadav heroically captured enemy bunkers in Kargil, securing a Param Vir Chakra.

21. Rifleman Sanjay Kumar - Daring Soldier of Kargil

Rifleman Sanjay Kumar from the 13 Jammu & Kashmir Rifles showed exceptional bravery in Kargil, and his actions earned him the Param Vir Chakra.

Complete List of 21 Param Vir Chakra Awardees

Name	Rank	Unit	Date of action	Conflict
Somnath Sharma	Major	Kumaon Regiment	3 Nov 1947	Battle of Badgam
Jadunath Singh	Naik	Rajput Regiment	6 Feb 1948	Indo-Pakistani War of 1947
Rama Raghoba Rane	Second Lieutenant	Bombay Sappers	8 April 1948	Indo-Pakistani War of 1947
Piru Singh	Company Havildar Major	Rajputana Rifles	17 July 1948	Indo-Pakistani War of 1947
Karam Singh	Lance Naik	Sikh Regiment	13 Oct 1948	Indo-Pakistani War of 1947
Gurbachan Singh Salaria	Captain	1 Gorkha Rifles[d]	5 Dec 1961	Congo Crisis
Dhan Singh Thapa	Major	8 Gorkha Rifles	20 Oct 1962	Sino-Indian War
Joginder Singh	Subedar	Sikh Regiment	23 Oct 1962	Sino-Indian War
Shaitan Singh	Major	Kumaon Regiment	18 Nov 1962	Sino-Indian War
Abdul Hamid	Company Quarter Master Havildar	The Grenadiers	10 Sept 1965	Battle of Asal Uttar
Ardeshir Tarapore	Lieutenant Colonel	Poona Horse	11 Sept 1965	Battle of Chawinda
Albert Ekka	Lance Naik	Brigade of the Guards	3 Dec 1971	Battle of Hilli
Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon	Flying Officer	No. 18 Squadron IAF	14 Dec 1971	Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
Arun Khetarpal	Second Lieutenant	Poona Horse	16 Dec 1971	Battle of Basantar
Hoshiar Singh Dahiya	Major	The Grenadiers	17 Dec 1971	Battle of Basantar
Bana Singh	Naib Subedar	Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry	23 May 1987	Operation Rajiv
Ramaswamy Parameshwaran	Major	Mahar Regiment[e]	25 Nov 1987	Operation Pawan
Manoj Kumar Pandey	Lieutenant	11 Gorkha Rifles	3 July 1999	Operation Vijay
Yogendra Singh Yadav	Grenadier	The Grenadiers	4 July 1999	Battle of Tiger Hill
Sanjay Kumar	Rifleman	Jammu and Kashmir Rifles	5 July 1999	Kargil War
Vikram Batra	Captain	Jammu and Kashmir Rifles	5 July 1999	Operation Vijay

These brave soldiers are symbols of India’s military heroism, their stories a testament to unmatched bravery, patriotism, and devotion. The Param Vir Chakra stands as an enduring reminder of their sacrifices, inspiring the nation for generations.