Vijay Madhav Joshi

Biography

Flight Lieutenant Vijay Madhav Joshi hailed from Pune in Maharashtra and was born on 28 March 1940, the son of Shri Madhav Krishna Joshi and Smt Nalini Joshi. As his father served in the Military Engineering Service, a transferable job, Vijay studied at boarding schools, including Modern High School and Rishi Valley School, where he passed out with distinction. Passionate about flying from an early age, he set his heart on joining the Air Force. He was selected for the prestigious National Defence Academy, joining the 16th Course as part of the 'Dog Squadron', and passed out on 1 June 1959. He was commissioned into the flying stream of the Indian Air Force on 15 December 1960 at the age of nineteen and trained as a fighter pilot with the 78th Pilots' Course before being posted to a fighter squadron at Air Force Station Adampur, and later to 220 Squadron at Air Force Station Pune. In 1965, Flt Lt Joshi was serving with 220 Squadron, the 'Desert Tigers', which operated Vampire fighter-bomber aircraft. As war broke out with Pakistan, the squadron was moved to Jamnagar and then Pathankot to operate as part of 45 Squadron. On 1 September 1965, Pakistan launched a full-scale armoured attack in the Akhnoor sector, threatening the Indian Army's lifeline to Rajauri, Jhangar, Naushera and Poonch. In response, the Vampires were tasked with offensive missions against the enemy armour. Flt Lt Joshi was detailed for the second mission alongside Sqn Ldr A K Bhagwagar, Flt Lt S Bhardwaj and Flt Lt W S Sondhi. As they pressed home their attack, they were engaged by technologically superior Sabre jets of the PAF. Displaying courage and professional skill of a very high order, Flt Lt Joshi and his comrades fought on until three Vampires were lost. Flt Lt Vijay Madhav Joshi laid down his life at the age of twenty-five in the service of the nation.