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[[Jemadar]] '''Nand Singh''', [[Victoria Cross|VC]], [[Maha Vir Chakra|MVC]] (24 September 1914 – 12 December 1947) was an | [[Jemadar]] '''Nand Singh''', [[Victoria Cross|VC]], [[Maha Vir Chakra|MVC]] (24 September 1914 – 12 December 1947) was an Indian recipient of the [[Victoria Cross]],<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.victoriacrosssociety.com/pastjournals.htm | title=The Victoria Cross Society | accessdate=7 October 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030920045227/http://www.victoriacrosssociety.com/pastjournals.htm | archive-date=20 September 2003 | url-status=dead }}</ref> the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to [[United Kingdom|British]] and [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] forces. | ||
== Military career == | == Military career == | ||
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{{Quotation|<center>'''War Office, 6th June, 1944.'''<br> | {{Quotation|<center>'''War Office, 6th June, 1944.'''<br> | ||
</center> | </center> | ||
The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the VICTORIA CROSS to: — | The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the VICTORIA CROSS to: — | ||
No. 13068 Sepoy (acting Naik) Nand Singh, 11th Sikh Regiment, Indian Army. In Burma on the night of the 11th/12th March, 1944, a Japanese platoon about 40 | No. 13068 Sepoy (acting Naik) Nand Singh, 11th Sikh Regiment, Indian Army. In Burma on the night of the 11th/12th March, 1944, a Japanese platoon about 40 | ||
strong with Medium and Light Machine-Guns and a Grenade Discharger infiltrated into the Battalion position covering the main Maungdaw-Buthidaung road and occupied a dominating position where they dug foxholes and underground trenches on the precipitous sides of the hill. | strong with Medium and Light Machine-Guns and a Grenade Discharger infiltrated into the Battalion position covering the main Maungdaw-Buthidaung road and occupied a dominating position where they dug foxholes and underground trenches on the precipitous sides of the hill. | ||
Naik Nand Singh commanded the leading section of the platoon which was ordered to recapture the position at all costs. He led his section up a very steep knife-edged ridge under heavy machine-gun and rifle fire. Although wounded in the thigh he rushed ahead of his section and took the first enemy trench with the bayonet by himself. He then crawled forward alone under heavy fire and though wounded again in the face and shoulder by a grenade which burst one yard in front of him, took the second trench at the point of the bayonet. | Naik Nand Singh commanded the leading section of the platoon which was ordered to recapture the position at all costs. He led his section up a very steep knife-edged ridge under heavy machine-gun and rifle fire. Although wounded in the thigh he rushed ahead of his section and took the first enemy trench with the bayonet by himself. He then crawled forward alone under heavy fire and though wounded again in the face and shoulder by a grenade which burst one yard in front of him, took the second trench at the point of the bayonet. | ||
A short time later when all his section had been either killed or wounded, Naik Nand Singh dragged himself out of the trench and captured a third trench, killing all the occupants with his bayonet. | A short time later when all his section had been either killed or wounded, Naik Nand Singh dragged himself out of the trench and captured a third trench, killing all the occupants with his bayonet. | ||
Due to the capture of these three trenches the remainder of the platoon were able to seize the top of the hill and deal with the enemy. Naik Nand Singh personally killed seven of the enemy and owing to his determination, outstanding dash and magnificent courage, the important position was won back from the enemy<ref>https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36548/supplement/2683</ref>}} | Due to the capture of these three trenches the remainder of the platoon were able to seize the top of the hill and deal with the enemy. Naik Nand Singh personally killed seven of the enemy and owing to his determination, outstanding dash and magnificent courage, the important position was won back from the enemy<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36548/supplement/2683|title=Page 2683 | Supplement 36548, 2 June 1944 | London Gazette | the Gazette}}</ref>}} | ||
===Maha Vir Chakra=== | ===Maha Vir Chakra=== | ||
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{{Quotation|Gazette Notification: 2 Pres 50, 26.1.50, | {{Quotation|Gazette Notification: 2 Pres 50, 26.1.50, | ||
Operation: 1947 Indo Pak Kashmir War, | Operation: 1947 Indo Pak Kashmir War, | ||
Date of Award: 12 Dec 1947, | Date of Award: 12 Dec 1947, | ||
Citation:<br> | Citation:<br> | ||
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This brave VCO had captured his objective, but as he stood there on top of the bunker, a burst of enemy LMG hit him in the chest and killed him on the spot. However, his mission had been completed. The valour, leadership and selfless devotion to duty displayed by this son of India in this little action was something that cannot be described, much less matched. | This brave VCO had captured his objective, but as he stood there on top of the bunker, a burst of enemy LMG hit him in the chest and killed him on the spot. However, his mission had been completed. The valour, leadership and selfless devotion to duty displayed by this son of India in this little action was something that cannot be described, much less matched. | ||
He was VC of the last war and had more than lived up to the reputation of one.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://twdi.in/node/1428|title=Mahavir Chakra (MVC), Awardee: Jem Nand Singh, MVC, VC | He was VC of the last war and had more than lived up to the reputation of one.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://twdi.in/node/1428|title=Mahavir Chakra (MVC), Awardee: Jem Nand Singh, MVC, VC @ TWDI|website=twdi.in}}</ref>}} | ||
==Legacy== | ==Legacy== | ||