Harcharan Singh Mangat | |
|---|---|
| Born | 6 June 1932 Ludhiana, India |
| Allegiance |  India |
| Service/ |  Indian Air Force |
| Years of service | 1954–1986 |
| Rank |  Air Commodore |
| Unit | No. 32 Squadron IAF |
| Commands held | No. 32 Squadron IAF |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards |  Maha Vir Chakra [1] |
Air Commodore Harcharan Singh Mangat MVC (born 6 June 1932) was an ex-officer of the Indian Air Force, who participated in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 for which he was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, India's second highest military award.
Air Commodore Harcharan Singh Mangat was born on 6 June 1932 in Ludhiana, India. His father's name was Shri Ram Singh Mangat.
During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 in the western sector, Wing Commander Harcharan Singh Mangat was commanding officer of the No. 32 Squadron IAF, an Operational Bomber Squadron, operating Sukhoi Su-7 aircraft. Wing Commander Harcharan Singh Mangat undertook a number of interdiction, close support missions and photographic reconnaissance missions, without fighter escort, deep into Pakistan territory. The information brought by him from the reconnaissance missions was used in the operational planning and success of Indian Army and the Indian Air Force operations.
For gallantry, professional skills and leadership of the high order, he was awarded India's second highest military award, the Maha Vir Chakra [2] [3]
He later rose to the rank of Air Commodore before retiring.
The Maha Vir Chakra (MVC) is the second highest military decoration in India, after the Param Vir Chakra, and is awarded for acts of conspicuous gallantry in the presence of the enemy, whether on land, at sea or in the air. It replaced the British Distinguished Service Order (DSO). The medal may be awarded posthumously.
Air Chief Marshal Swaroop Krishna Kaul, PVSM, MVC, ADC is a former Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force. Kaul served as the Air Chief from 1993 to 1995.
The Vir Chakra is an Indian wartime military bravery award presented for acts of gallantry on the battlefield, on land or in the air or at sea.
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Air Commodore Jasjit Singh, AVSM, VrC, VM was an Indian Air Force officer, writer and military strategist. In his military career, he was awarded the Vir Chakra during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. He last served as the Director of Operations of the IAF.
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Wing Commander Padmanabha Gautam, MVC & Bar, VM was an officer in the Indian Air Force. He was awarded the India's second-highest war-time gallantry award, the Maha Vir Chakra twice. Awarded during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 and the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, Gautam is one of only six officers to have been decorated with the Maha Vir Chakra twice.
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Brigadier Amarjit Singh Bal, MVC was an officer of the Indian Army, who served with the 17 Horse. He was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, India's second highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy, during the Battle of Basantar in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.
Air Marshal Ravinder Nath Bhardwaj PVSM MVC VM is a retired officer of the Indian Air Force and a recipient of the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Maha Vir Chakra and the Vayu Sena Medal.
Petty Officer Chiman Singh, MVC was a sailor in the Indian Navy. He participated in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, and for his actions was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, India's second highest gallantry award, and the Friends of Liberation War Award by Bangladesh.
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