Hardev Singh, MVC

Biography

Jemadar Hardev Singh was born on 14 July 1921, the son of Shri Ranjit Singh, in the Bhatinda district of Punjab. He enlisted in the army on 14 July 1941 and was posted to the 1 Patiala, a unit that later became part of The Punjab Regiment. During the Indo-Pak War of 1947-48, Jemadar Hardev Singh was commanding a platoon patrol in the Machhoi area of Jammu & Kashmir. On 23 May 1948 his patrol came under heavy fire from a well-entrenched enemy. Though wounded in the arm and shoulders, he refused to be deterred and, moving from man to man across heavy snow under intense fire, he steadied his platoon, organised its defence and ensured that every wounded soldier received attention. He continued to lead and inspire his men until he succumbed to his injuries on 24 May 1948. For his conspicuous gallantry, leadership and devotion to duty, Jemadar Hardev Singh was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, the nation's second-highest wartime gallantry award.