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Awardee List for the 4 Squadron
A total of 7 Awards are listed.
 Distinguished Service Order | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sqn Ldr | Geoffrey Stanton Sharp RNZAF | Unit : 4 Squadron | Award Date | Announced 23 Mar 45 | |
| Details : |  Sqn Ldr Geoffrey Stanton Sharp, DSO. (403476 RNZAF) : In January 1945, this officer led the squadron on a sortie in support of a landing by ground forces at Myebone. The purpose was to lay a smoke screen. Precise timing and great accuracy were essential to success. In spite of considerable anti-aircraft fire, Squadron Leader Sharp led his squadron in to the target with great skill and, as a result of the excellent work performed, the ground forces were enabled to execute a landing under a well-timed and accurately placed smoke screen. During the operation Squadron Leader Sharp's aircraft was hit several times by anti-aircraft fire, but he flew it back to base. This officer has completed many reconnaissances over difficult terrain and in extremely bad weather, with excellent results. He has displayed exceptional skill, great courage and devotion to duty in the execution of his allotted tasks. | ||||
| Reference: | London Gazette 36997 dated 20 March 1945. Page 1594 (Courtesy Hugh Halliday) | ||||
 Distinguished Flying Cross | |||||
| Flt Lt | Mahendra Singh Pujji 1604 GD(P) | Unit : 4 Squadron | Award Date | Announced 17 Apr 45 | |
| Details : |  This officer has flown on many reconnaissance sorties over Japanese occupied territory, often in adverse monsoon weather. he has obtained much valuable information of enemy troop movements and dispositions, which enabled an air offensive to be maintained against the Japanese troops throughout the monsoon. Flight Lieutenant Pujji has shown himself to be a skilful and determined pilot who has always displayed outstanding leadership and courage | ||||
| Reference: | London Gazette 37036 dated 17 April 1945, Page 2026 Citation from Air Ministry Bulletin 18375 (Citation Courtesy: Hugh Halliday) | ||||
| Distinguished Flying Cross | |||||
| Flt Lt | Patrick Ascension Kennedy 122141 RAFVR | Unit : 4 Squadron | Award Date | Announced 17 Apr 45 | |
| Details : |  This officer has completed many reconnaissance sorties over hazardous country often in adverse weather. He has obtained much valuable information of Japanese troop concentrations and movements and has led formations of aircraft in attacks against enemy positions in support of our ground troops. On several occasions he effectively bombed enemy positions within 300 yards of our own troops. During two sorties his aircraft sustained severe damage. Undeterred, by cool and careful airmanship, Flight Lieutenant [sic] Kennedy succeeded in landing his damaged aircraft safely at base. His devotion to duty at all times has been most commendable. | ||||
| Reference: | London Gazette 37036 dated 17 April 1945, Page 2026 Citation from Air Ministry Bulletin 18375 (Citation Courtesy: Hugh Halliday) | ||||
| Distinguished Flying Cross | |||||
| Flt Lt | Denis Martin Finn Aux 33445 RAFVR | Unit : 4 Squadron | Award Date | Announced 20 Jul 45 | |
| Details : | This officer has completed a very successful operational tour. His sorties have included many close support bombing attacks on extremely important targets. During adverse weather in the monsoon period he has flown on numerous long-range escort patrols and has fulfilled many different tasks successfully. By his coolness, efficiency and fine fighting spirit, Flight Lieutenant Finn has set an inspiring example to the other pilots of the squadron | ||||
| Reference: | London Gazette 37187 dated 17 July 1945, Page 3782 Citation from Air Ministry Bulletin 19267. (Citation Courtesy: Hugh Halliday) | ||||
| Distinguished Flying Cross | |||||
| Fg Offr | Balamore Navaneetham Surendra 1716 GD(P) | Unit : 4 Squadron | Award Date | Announced 20 Jul 45 | |
| Details : |  This officer has taken part in a large number of operational sorties of a varied nature. He has achieved some excellent results when flying on tactical reconnaissance and has obtained valuable information, often in adverse weather, of Japanese troop concentrations and movements in dense jungle. In smoke laying and target marking operations, Flying Officer Surendra’s skilful navigation has largely contributed to the successes achieved. In addition he has inflicted considerable damage on the enemy’s rivercraft and lines of communication. At all times this officer’s leadership, courage and determination have been worthy of the highest praise. | ||||
| Reference: | London Gazette 37187 dated 17 July 1945, Page 3785 Citation from Air Ministry Bulletin 19267. (Citation Courtesy: Hugh Halliday) | ||||
| Distinguished Flying Cross | |||||
| Flt Lt | James Hogan Currie 104548 RAFVR | Unit : 4 Squadron | Award Date | Announced 02 Oct 45 | |
| Details : | Throughout a large number of operational sorties this officer has shown courage and devotion to duty. Many of his missions have been flown in adverse weather over mountainous terrain. His leadership and accuracy have materially contributed to the many successes attained by his flight. | ||||
| Reference: | London Gazette 37291 dated 2 Oct 1945, Page 4857 Citation in Air Ministry Bulletin 19829. (Citation Courtesy: Hugh Halliday) | ||||
 British Empire Medal | |||||
| Sgt | Kharbanda Jai Chandra 191 OR | Unit : 4 Squadron | Award Date 01 Feb 45 | Announced 13 Jun 46 | |
| Details : | This Indian Non-Commissioned Officer has charge of a flight of No.4 Indian Squadron. His determination and ability have had a great influence among both officers and airmen. He has imbued all ranks with a fine fighting spirit and camaraderie which have contributed largely to the high standard of morale in the squadron. In February 1945, a fire occurred in an aircraft pen which contained two Hurricanes which were loaded with bombs. One aircraft was ablaze and the danger of the bombs exploding was great. Sergeant Chandra was first on the scene and boarded the undamaged aircraft and taxied it out of the pen. By his courageous effort an aircraft was saved and a disaster averted which might have entailed heavy casualties | ||||
| Reference: | London Gazette 37598 dated 13 June 1946. Page 2809 (Courtesy Hugh Halliday and Tom Thorne) | ||||
The Awards Database presented here was made possible by the kind generosity of Air Marshal Bharat Kumar, author of Courage & Devotion to Duty : A Chronicle of IAF's Honours and Awards (1932-2008). Air Marshal Bharat Kumar had very graciously given permission to reproduce the citations from the book on this website.
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Note: All the data available here is publicly available in the Gazette of India, published by the Indian Government, or from public domain sources, press releases about Awards and Right-To-Information (RTI) Requests. Additionally data shared by veterans is added to the page with permission. No data with respect to serving officers below the rank of AVM is displayed. Information in Gazette of India and Award citations and photographs as released by the Indian Air Force are the only details displayed.