Three Indian Air Force officers have been conferred the Vayu Sena Medal (gallantry) on the occasion of then Republic Day, a Defence Ministry release said late Friday.
They are Flight Lieutenant Siddharth Chopra, Wing Commander Gurkirat Singh Sohal and Wing Commander Chickmandya Girish Deepak.
In addition, 60 air warriors have been decorated, which includes the Param Vishist Seva Medal (PVSM) for six Air Marshals.
Ati Vishist Seva Medals (AVSM)have been awarded to an Air Marshal, five Air Vice Marshals and six Air Commodores.
The release said Flight-Lt. Siddharth Chopra displayed exemplary courage and decision-making during a free-fall para drop sortie by the Akash Ganga skydiving team by recovering his aircraft safely from a critical emergency situation and saving precious lives of all its occupants.
Wing Commander Sohal displayed sheer courage in attempting the recovery of an Su-30 MKI fighter aircraft which yawed and rolled viciously to the right after take-off.
He ejected after ensuring that the aircraft would not fall into an inhabited area.
Wing Commander Deepak, who was an instructional sortie on a Kiran Mk II aircraft, experienced an engine flameout while coming in to land. Knowing about the risks of ejecting through an aircraft canopy and availability of critical time, he ensured that the aircraft was turned away from a populated area before ejecting.