Vir Chakra (VrC)

During the operations against Pakistan in December 1971, Flying Officer Kariyadil Cheriyan Kuruvilla served with a fighter bomber squadron in the Western Sector. On 4 December, he carried out a strike mission over Chander airfield and successfully attacked enemy aircraft on ground and airfield installations. The next day he flew another strike mission over Chistian Mandi and inflicted heavy damage on a train and hit its engine despite intensive enemy anti-aircraft fire. Again on 6 December he undertook a strike mission over the Dera Baba Nanak area and attacked enemy tank concentrations. 

Throughout, Flying Officer Kuruvilla displayed gallantry and devotion to duty of a high order.