Vir Chakra (VrC)

During the operations against Pakistan in December 1971, Flight Lieutenant Manjit Singh Dhillon flew 50 sorties in the Chhamb, Shakargarh and Poonch Sectors. On 7 December, he had to take off from Udhampur airfield when the enemy aircraft were in the vicinity. He skillfully manoeuvered the helicopter at very low height and achieved the mission successfully. On 10 December, he undertook a sector reconnaissance flight and completed the task assigned to him despite heavy enemy fire. On the same day, he evacuated 15 casualties. On 11 December, he evacuated eight casualties from the Shakargarh Sector. Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Dhillon displayed gallantry, skill and devotion to duty of a high order.