Mahavir Chakra (MVC)

Major Puttichanda Somaiah Ganapathy was deployed in Sri Lanka as part of the Indian Peace Keeping Force. His unit, located at Annakottai, was surrounded and repeatedly attacked by militants on 16 October 1987. His company had occupied this location to provide a firm base for the 41 Infantry Brigade to launch an offensive. Militants repeatedly attacked the position with very heavy fire, resulting in heavy casualties, and his unit required immediate replenishment of ammunition. Throughout the day, Major Ganapathy fought gallantly and kept the militants at bay. When all efforts to drop ammunition by helicopter failed, due to the militants'heavy fire, Major Ganapathy kept fighting, moving from trench to trench till 0600 hours on 17 October 1987 when he was finally supplied with ammunition by a patrol Major Puttichanda Somaiah Ganapathy displayed extreme devotion and conspicuous bravery, and held his position against heavy odds tenaciously.