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| commands = | | commands = | ||
| battles = [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]] | | battles = [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]] | ||
| awards = [[File:Maha_Vir_Chakra_ribbon.svg|35px]] [[Maha Vir Chakra]]<ref name="Indian Army">{{Cite web|url=https://gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/vijay-kumad-berry|title=Maj Vijay Kumad Berry Maha Vir Chakra|publisher=Indian Army, Govt of India official website|access-date=22 July | | awards = [[File:Maha_Vir_Chakra_ribbon.svg|35px]] [[Maha Vir Chakra]]<ref name="Indian Army">{{Cite web|url=https://gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/vijay-kumad-berry|title=Maj Vijay Kumad Berry Maha Vir Chakra|publisher=Indian Army, Govt of India official website|access-date=22 July 2020}}</ref> | ||
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==Early life and family== | ==Early life and family== | ||
Vijay Kumar Berry was born on 26 June 1938 in [[Amritsar]], in the British province of [[Punjab Province (British India)|Punjab]], the son of Shri Om Prakash Berry. He attended [[Sherwood College]] in [[Nainital]], [[Uttarakhand]], and [[St. Edward's School, Shimla]] before entering the [[National Defence Academy (India)|National Defence Academy]] from which he went on to attend the [[Indian Military Academy]].<ref name="WDIT">{{Cite web|url=http://twdi.in/node/1104|title=Brig Vijay Kumar Berry, MVC (retd)|publisher=The War Decorated India & Trust |access-date=22 July | Vijay Kumar Berry was born on 26 June 1938 in [[Amritsar]], in the British province of [[Punjab Province (British India)|Punjab]], the son of Shri Om Prakash Berry. He attended [[Sherwood College]] in [[Nainital]], [[Uttarakhand]], and [[St. Edward's School, Shimla]] before entering the [[National Defence Academy (India)|National Defence Academy]] from which he went on to attend the [[Indian Military Academy]].<ref name="WDIT">{{Cite web|url=http://twdi.in/node/1104|title=Brig Vijay Kumar Berry, MVC (retd)|publisher=The War Decorated India & Trust |access-date=22 July 2020}}</ref><ref name="Indian Army"/><ref name="Chakravorty">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uzizVBSb4YsC&q=Vijay+Kumar+Berry+mvc&pg=PA110|title=Stories of Heroism: PVC & MVC Winners|last=Chakravorty|first=B.|date=1995|publisher=Allied Publishers|year= 1995|isbn=9788170235163 |language=en}}</ref> His wife's name is Klran, and they have two daughters: Manika, born in 1969; and Rashmi, born in 1972.<ref name="WDIT"/> | ||
==Military career== | ==Military career== | ||
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The assault commenced at 03:00, and was quickly pinned down by [[medium machine gun]] fire. Berry then led his men forward with great determination and without any regard for his personal safety, although the company suffered casualties and one [[platoon]] became separated from the rest of the company due to dust created by artillery fire. Berry then led his company through the minefield surrounding the Pakistani position, which caused further casualties. A threat from nearby [[tank]]s emerged, but by 05:30 C Company had captured about half of the Pakistani position. Another medium machine gun held up the assault, but was silenced single-handedly by Lance [[Havildar]] Tek Bahadur who was killed in the effort. C Company then captured the remainder of the objective. After losing the position, the Pakistanis subjected the position to heavy artillery and [[mortar (weapon)|mortar]] fire for over twelve hours. Undeterred, Berry moved among his company, motivating and inspiring his troops, who held onto the captured position.<ref name="WDIT"/><ref name="Indian Army"/><ref name="Chakravorty"/> | The assault commenced at 03:00, and was quickly pinned down by [[medium machine gun]] fire. Berry then led his men forward with great determination and without any regard for his personal safety, although the company suffered casualties and one [[platoon]] became separated from the rest of the company due to dust created by artillery fire. Berry then led his company through the minefield surrounding the Pakistani position, which caused further casualties. A threat from nearby [[tank]]s emerged, but by 05:30 C Company had captured about half of the Pakistani position. Another medium machine gun held up the assault, but was silenced single-handedly by Lance [[Havildar]] Tek Bahadur who was killed in the effort. C Company then captured the remainder of the objective. After losing the position, the Pakistanis subjected the position to heavy artillery and [[mortar (weapon)|mortar]] fire for over twelve hours. Undeterred, Berry moved among his company, motivating and inspiring his troops, who held onto the captured position.<ref name="WDIT"/><ref name="Indian Army"/><ref name="Chakravorty"/> | ||
For his actions during this operation, Berry was commended by the Indian government for conspicuous gallantry and outstanding leadership, for which he was awarded the [[Maha Vir Chakra]],<ref name="WDIT"/><ref name="Indian Army"/><ref name="Chakravorty"/> the second-highest award for gallantry available to members of the [[Indian Armed Forces]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Mahavir Chakra|url=https://www.india9.com/i9show/Mahavir-Chakra-27619.htm |website=india9.com|access-date=13 July | For his actions during this operation, Berry was commended by the Indian government for conspicuous gallantry and outstanding leadership, for which he was awarded the [[Maha Vir Chakra]],<ref name="WDIT"/><ref name="Indian Army"/><ref name="Chakravorty"/> the second-highest award for gallantry available to members of the [[Indian Armed Forces]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Mahavir Chakra|url=https://www.india9.com/i9show/Mahavir-Chakra-27619.htm |website=india9.com|access-date=13 July 2020}}</ref> The award was promulgated on [[Independence Day (India)|Independence Day]] in 1972.<ref name="Indian Army"/> 4 PARA was awarded the [[battle honour]] "Sadiqia Sand Dune 1971" for their actions in capturing the position,<ref name="Chakravorty"/> known as the Battle of Nagi.<ref name="Defence Info"/> | ||
==Later life== | ==Later life== | ||
Berry retired from the army as a [[brigadier]],<ref name="WDIT"/><ref name="Defence Info">{{cite web |title=Commemorating Indo-Pakistan War 1971: Freedom comes with a price |url=https://www.defenceinfo.com/commemorating-indo-pakistan-war-1971-freedom-comes-price |website=defenceinfo.com |date=21 January 2015 |access-date=17 July | Berry retired from the army as a [[brigadier]],<ref name="WDIT"/><ref name="Defence Info">{{cite web |title=Commemorating Indo-Pakistan War 1971: Freedom comes with a price |url=https://www.defenceinfo.com/commemorating-indo-pakistan-war-1971-freedom-comes-price |website=defenceinfo.com |date=21 January 2015 |access-date=17 July 2020}}</ref> and now lives in [[New Delhi]].<ref name="WDIT"/> | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||