Somnath Sharma

Major

Somnath Sharma

Major Somnath Sharma on a 2003 stamp of India
Born(1923-01-31)31 January 1923
Dadh, Kangra district, Punjab Province, British India (present-day Himachal Pradesh, India)
Died3 November 1947(1947-11-03) (aged 24)
Badgam, Jammu and Kashmir, Dominion of India
Allegiance British India
 India
Service/branch British Indian Army
 Indian Army
Years of service1942–1947
Rank Major
Service numberIC-521[1]
Unit4th Battalion, Kumaon Regiment
Battles/wars
Awards
RelationsGeneral V. N. Sharma (brother)

Somnath Sharma, PVC (31 January 1923 – 3 November 1947), was an Indian military officer and the first recipient of India's highest military decoration, Param Vir Chakra (PVC), which he was awarded posthumously.[2]

Sharma was commissioned into the 8th Battalion, 19th Hyderabad Regiment, in 1942.[3] He served in Burma during the Arakan Campaign in World War II, for which he was mentioned in despatches. Fighting in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947-1948, Somnath Sharma was killed in action on 3 November 1947 while repulsing Pakistani infiltrators near Srinagar Airport. For his gallantry and sacrifice during the Battle of Badgam, he was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra.

  1. ^ Chakravorty 1995, pp. 75–76.
  2. ^ "SOMNATH SHARMA | Gallantry Awards". Gallantry Awards, Government of India. Archived from the original on 16 December 2017. Retrieved 15 December 2017.
  3. ^ "Major Somnath Sharma: A hero for generations of soldiers – ADU News". aviation-defence-universe.com. Retrieved 23 June 2020.

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