Dewan Singh
Sepoy Dewan Singh, MVC (4 March 1923 – 3 November 1947) was a soldier in the Indian Army notable for his participation in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947–1948. He displayed exemplary courage and gallantry and make the ultimate sacrifice fighting the enemy, and was posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, India's second highest military decoration.[2]
Dewan Singh | |
|---|---|
| Born | 4 March 1923[1] Purdam village, Pithoragarh, Uttar Pradesh, India |
| Died | 3 November 1947 (aged 24) Badgam, Jammu and Kashmir |
| Allegiance |  |
| Service/ |  |
| Rank | Sepoy |
| Unit | 4 Kumaon |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards |  |
Military career
Dewan Singh joined the 4 Kumaon battalion on 4 March 1943.
In 1947 at the time of the invasion of Kashmir by Pakistani raiders, Sepoy Dewan Singh was deployed to Jammu and Kashmir in Badgam area. His company was attacked by a force of 400 raiders, at 1400 hours, with LMG and MMG gun fire. Sepoy Dewan Singh used his LMG to counterattack the enemy with great accuracy and killed 15 of them, successfully repulsing the attack.
In the exchange of gunfire he was severely wounded in the shoulder. However, he stood his ground at his post and continued to hold off the massed enemy in spite of concentrated firing from them, until a burst of Bren light machine gun fire hit him in the chest, causing his death. Through his heroic actions, he saved the complete annihilation of his platoon by overwhelming enemy numbers. For his exceptional action and courage, he was awarded the Mahavir Chakra, posthumously.[3]
See also
References
- Chakravorty, B. (1995). Stories of Heroism: PVC & MVC Winners. Allied Publishers. p. 387. ISBN 9788170235163.
- "Mahavir Chakra (MVC) Awardee: Sep Dewan Singh, MVC". The War Decorated India & Trust.
- "The Indian Army: The first challenge - II". Indian Defence Review.