The Vayu Sena Medal is a
military decoration, usually awarded in peacetime for a job well done in the
Indian Air Force. However, it has been granted during times of conflict for acts of gallantry in the face of enemy, though not in the same numbers as the ''
Vir Chakra
Vir Chakra (pronunciation: ʋ iː ɾ a tʃ a kɾa) is an Indian wartime military bravery award presented for acts of conspicuous gallantry in the presence of the enemy on the battlefield and is third in precedence in wartime gallantry awards a ...
''.
Posthumous awards may be made and a bar is authorized for subsequent awards of the ''Vayu Sena Medal''.
The VM was established on 17 June 1960 by the
President of India
The president of India ( IAST: ) is the head of state of the Republic of India. The president is the nominal head of the executive, the first citizen of the country, as well as the commander-in-chief of the Indian Armed Forces. Droupadi Mur ...
and awards have been made from 1961 onwards. Awards over the past decade or more have been classified into two categories. One is ''Vayu Sena'' Medal (Gallantry) and the other for ''Vayu Sena'' Medal (Devotion to Duty).
History
The Vayu Sena Medal was instituted on 26 January 1960 by the
Government of India
The Government of India (ISO: ; often abbreviated as GoI), known as the Union Government or Central Government but often simply as the Centre, is the national government of the Republic of India, a federal democracy located in South Asia, ...
, with the approval of the
President of India
The president of India ( IAST: ) is the head of state of the Republic of India. The president is the nominal head of the executive, the first citizen of the country, as well as the commander-in-chief of the Indian Armed Forces. Droupadi Mur ...
. Five other medals were instituted on the same day - the Vishisht Seva Medal series (Class I, Class II, Class III),
Sainya Seva Medal,
Videsh Seva Medal,
Sena Medal
The Sena Medal is awarded to members of the Indian army, of all ranks, "for such individual acts of exceptional devotion to duty or courage as have special significance for the Army." Awards may be made posthumously and a bar is authorized for s ...
and the
Nao Sena Medal
Nau Sena Medal (also spelt ''Nao Sena Medal'', lit. ''Navy Medal'') is a gallantry award for servicemen in the Indian Navy.
History
The Nao Sena Medal was instituted on 26 January 1960 by the Government of India, with the approval of the Presid ...
.
Description
Obverse: A four-armed silver star with the points shaped like lotus blooms. In the centre, the national emblem. Suspended by a straight bar suspender and normally named and dated on the edge.
Reverse: A Himalayan Eagle with wings spread, and the legend, above and below, in Hindi "Vayu Sena Medal" or "Air Force / Medal".
Ribbon: 30 mm, alternating 2 mm diagonal (lower left to upper right) stripes of grey and orange-saffron. The ribbon has an overall "woven" appearance.
Examples of recipients
To understand the award better, a sample recipient would be that of the second-award bar to
Squadron Leader
Squadron leader (Sqn Ldr in the RAF ; SQNLDR in the RAAF and RNZAF; formerly sometimes S/L in all services) is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence. It is als ...
Harchand Singh Gill,
Indian Air Force:
"In October 1953, a composite column of Assam Rifles and a Civil Administrative party was attacked by armed Tagins and some officers and men were killed. Sqn-Ldr. H. S. Gill was in command of the detachment of Dakotas for the airlanding of troops. The work of airlanding personnel and supplies on the two small available landing grounds was difficult. Notwithstanding the difficulties Sqn.-Ldr. Gill with his keen enthusiasm, boundless energy and courage personally carried out the major portion of the landings at Doporijo. By his tireless work, the airlift which had appeared impossible, became a reality. He showed courage and devotion to duty of the highest order."
Sqn-Ldr. H.S. Gill was born in Mullanpur, Punjab, India. He was born on 25 March 1925.
See also
*
Sena Medal
The Sena Medal is awarded to members of the Indian army, of all ranks, "for such individual acts of exceptional devotion to duty or courage as have special significance for the Army." Awards may be made posthumously and a bar is authorized for s ...
*
Nao Sena Medal
Nau Sena Medal (also spelt ''Nao Sena Medal'', lit. ''Navy Medal'') is a gallantry award for servicemen in the Indian Navy.
History
The Nao Sena Medal was instituted on 26 January 1960 by the Government of India, with the approval of the Presid ...
References
External links
The Vayusena Medal
{{India Honours and Decorations
Military awards and decorations of India
Indian Air Force
Recipients of the Vayu Sena Medal