Mahavir Chakra (MVC)

At Machhoi in J&K State on 23 May 1948, Jemadar Hardev Singh was in command of a platoon patrol. His platoon was heavily engaged by intense, accurate and close fire, killing or wounding a third of his men. He himself was wounded in the arm. Realising the seriousness of the situation, he moved in heavy snow-covered area from man to man through a hail of automatic and mortar fire trying to collect his party to the hillside from where he could keep the enemy engaged till reinforcements came. In this process he was twice hit in the shoulder but this JCO's indomitable will could not be dampened but made him all the more determined to beat the enemy.

Gravely disregarding his personal safety he got all his wounded men to the nearest cover. He was the last man to crawl back to cover and while doing so he was mortally wounded by an MMG burst. He refused to be attended to until all his wounded men had been provided with medical aid and dressed up first. Before succumbing to his injuries, he properly organised and enthused his men to put up determined resistance against the enemy. This JCO displayed gallantry, grit and calmness of the highest degree. He lived up to the highest traditions of his unit.