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stars, the Poorvi Star 1971 (Figure 9) and the Paschimi Star, 1971 (Figure 10) for service in, respectively, the eastern and western theatres of that conflict. General service in that war was commemorated by the Sangram Medal, 1971 (Figure 11). These awards are usually encountered named, on the reverse for the stars and on the edge for the medals. A similar system was employed for the 1999 border conflict between India and Pakistan in northern Kashmir, the OP Vijay Star (Figure 12) and the OP Vijay Medal (Figure 13). These awards were, apparently, not routinely named.

Recently, other medals have been created for other combat or near-combat service. In 1986 the Special Service Medal was created for other classes of service. It follows the traditional medal-and-clasp pattern with two clasps (in Hindi) having been awarded to date (SRI LANKA for the Indian Peace-Keeping Force 1987-89 and

Figure 9: The Poorvi Star 1971.

Figure 10: The Paschimi Star 1971.

Figure 11: The Sangram Medal 1971.

Figure 12: The OP Vijay Star.

Figure 13:The OP Vijay Medal.

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SURAKSHA for internal security operations in places like the Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir). In 1987 the Siachen Glacier Medal was created for ongoing operations against Pakistan in the high Himalayas (often over 6,600 meters) and in 2005 the OP Parakram Medal was created for the near-war when Indian troops were deployed to the Indio-Pakistani border in the aftermath of a terrorist attack on the Indian Parliament.

SERVICE MEDALS

Other forms of service have also been commemorated by the award of medals. For example, service in hostile climatic conditions has been rewarded with the Sainya Seva Medal (Figure 14) with six different clasps, all

in Hindi (Jammu-Kashmir, NEFA, Himalaya, Bengal-Assam, Andaman and Nicobar, and Marustal [Desert]). These medals are named on the edge. In 1986 a new High Altitude Medal was created to replace the ‘Himalaya’ clasp to the Sainya Seva Medal; it is also named, often in Hindi. Similar services by the police are represented by a separate medal, the Police (Special Duty) Medal (Figure 15), for which at least sixteen clasps (all in English) have been observed. In 2000 the Police (Internal Security) Medal was created to recognize internal security services. There is no close central control over these two unnamed police medals. Service overseas, usually in a UN or other peacekeeping mission, has been represented by the Videsh Seva Medal (Figure 16) which, to date, has seen the creation of 56 clasps, most of them awarded in very small numbers. This medal, too, is named on the edge.

Figure 15: The Police (Special Duty) Medal.

Figure 14: The Sainya Seva Medal.

Figure 16:The Videsh Seva Medal.

Figure 17: The Indian Independence Medal 1947.

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COMMEMORATIVE MEDALS

Major events in the history of the State have been commemorated by the issue of medals, for example the The Indian Independence Medal 1947 (Figure 17) and the 25th Independence Anniversary Medal 1972 (Figure 18). As is common with other Indian medals, they are named on the edge. There is also a police medal which, though it is called the Independence Medal 1950 was not awarded to commemorate independence, but rather the establishment of the republic; it is not officially named. In 1998 a medal was also issued for the 50th anniversary of Indian independence.

LONG SERVICE MEDALS Once again, Indian practice diverges from the British

Figure 18: The 25th Independence Anniversary Medal.

inheritance in the arena of rewarding long service by both officers and enlisted personnel. While the older institutions of medals for meritorious service and long service and good conduct have been continued, the major awards for long service have been represented by a series of long service awards, for example the Thirty-Years Long Service Medal (Figure 19) established in 1980. There are also awards for nine and 20 years of service, both established in 1971. As usual, these medals are named on the edge. In 1979 and 2004, respectively, the National Cadet Corps and the Coast Guard introduced their own long service medals.

Reference:

Haynes, Edward S. and Rana T. S. Chhina, Medals and Decorations of Independent India. New Delhi: Manohar, 2008).

Figure 19: The Thirty-Years Long Service Medal.

IN THE NEWS

Death of First Aviator to Receive the Medal of Honor for the Vietnam War

Colonel Bernard F. Fisher, USAF who received the Medal of Honor for rescuing a fellow pilot in Vietnam died at Boise, Idaho on August 16, 2014 at the age of 87. Fisher served in Vietnam with the 1st Air Commando Squadron from July 1965 to June 1966, flying 200 combat missions in the A-1 E/H Skyraider from Pleiku Air Base in South Vietnam.

On March 10, 1966 he led a two-ship element to the A Shau Valley to support the infantry. While attacking an enemy emplacement Major D. W. Myers, in the second plane, was hit and forced to crash-land on the airstrip of a Special Forces camp with the enemy only 200 yards away. Under enemy fire Fisher landed his plane, taxied to Myer’s location and loaded him in the empty seat of his aircraft.

From the Tampa Bay Times Submitted by Peter Hlinka