Mahavir Chakra (MVC)

On 22 February 1948, Lieutenant Colonel 1.J.S Butalia, Cotnnlanding Officer 4 Dogra, was assigned the task of covering the withdrawal of 19 (I) Infantry Brigade without any artillery support. He carried out the withdrawal successfully and personally supervised the layback. He gallantly withdrew two picquets of an infantry battalion when the enemy was closing on them. He was seriously wounded by the enemy heavy firing and his left hand was completely blown off Undeterred, he refused to be evacuated saying that a few like him could be sacrificed for the duty assigned to him. He bravely carried the withdrawal of the rearmost party where he himself was.

Lieutenant Colonel Butalia showed selfless devotion to duty and fine example of leadership, which led to the success of the operation.