Vir Chakra (VrC)
Awardee: Suresh Damodar Karnik VrC
Citation
During the operations against Pakistan in December 1971, Squadron Leader Suresh Damodar Karnik served as flight commander of a bomber squadron. He flew six very important and difficult missions, by day as well as by night, in the Western and Eastern Sectors. These missions involved day and night bombing raids over enemy airfields and interdiction of enemy boats by day.
The interdiction missions were flown against a large volume of flak, resulting in damage to his aircraft by enemy fire. Despite this, he pressed home his attacks and destroyed a number of enemy boats. He also carried out a day bombing raid over Chittagong airfield in the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire. During this mission, he bombed and destroyed a large oil dump.
Throughout, Squadron Leader Karnik displayed gallantry, determination and devotion to duty of a high order.
The interdiction missions were flown against a large volume of flak, resulting in damage to his aircraft by enemy fire. Despite this, he pressed home his attacks and destroyed a number of enemy boats. He also carried out a day bombing raid over Chittagong airfield in the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire. During this mission, he bombed and destroyed a large oil dump.
Throughout, Squadron Leader Karnik displayed gallantry, determination and devotion to duty of a high order.