Mohammad Usman, MVC

Biography

Born on 15 July 1912 at Bibipur in the Mau district of Uttar Pradesh, Mohammad Usman displayed courage from an early age, at twelve leaping into a well to save a drowning child. Though his father hoped he would enter the civil services, Usman was destined for uniform. He applied to Sandhurst, was selected, and sailed for England in July 1932, being commissioned into the 5th Battalion, 10th Baluch Regiment on 19 March 1935. He served in Burma during the Second World War and rose to command the 14th Battalion. At Partition, despite intense pressure and the promise of becoming Pakistan's future army chief, Usman refused to join the Pakistan Army and was transferred to the Dogra Regiment. Commanding the 50th Parachute Brigade in Jammu & Kashmir, he mounted a legendary defence of Naushera in early 1948, inflicting around 2,000 casualties on the enemy and earning the title "Lion of Naushera." He vowed to retake Jhangar, sleeping on the floor until he did so. While defending Jhangar on 3 July 1948, he was killed by an enemy 25-pounder shell, twelve days short of his 36th birthday. For his inspiring leadership and gallantry he was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra.