Indian Armed forces have various war heroes of every branch of Armed forces- IAF, Indian Army and Indian Navy. In this list, Commodore Babru Bhan Yadav was the first Indian Navy Officer to be awarded the Maha Vir Chakra (MVC) in 1972 for his actions of bravery and gallantry in the War.
COMMODORE BABRU BHAN YADAV
Belonging to the military family Cdre Babru Bhan Yadav born on 14th September 1928 in the village of Bharawas in the Rewari district of Haryana. His father and Brother were also served in the Armed forces. He completed his early education from Banaras Hindu University and also completed his BSc from St. Stephen’s College in Delhi in 1947. To join Indian Navy he applied under the Direct Entry Graduate scheme. He was selected and also sent to Dartmouth to join the 1949 class of the famous Benbow division. On January 1951 he was finally commissioned to Indian navy.
In 1954, he went back to the UK and joined HMS Vernon to specialise in Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW). He served as the squadron TAS officer in INS Brahmaputra, and in the 1960s was the Fleet TAS officer of the Western Fleet. Cmde Yadav as Lt Cdr underwent the Staff Course at Defence Services Staff College, Wellington from May 1963 to November 1963.
CITATION
Cdr Babru Bhan Yadav was the squadron commander of a division of ships, which formed part of the task group of the Western Fleet ordered to carry out an offensive sweep on the enemy coast off Karachi on the night of 4 December 1971. Notwithstanding the threat of enemy air, surface and submarine attack, the officer led his division of ships deep into enemy waters and encountered two groups of large enemy warships. Despite the heavy fire from enemy destroyers and at great risk to his ships and personnel, Commander Yadav led his squadron towards the enemy in a swift and determined attack. As a result, two enemy destroyers and one minesweeper were sunk.
In this operation, Commander Yadav displayed conspicuous gallantry and leadership of a high order in the best traditions of the Indian Navy.
INDO- PAK WAR 1971
Before the war began he was serving as squadron commander 25th missile squadron based in Mumbai. Finally, on 2nd December, he took command of three Missile Boat Task Force, INS Nipat, INS Nirghat and INS Veer. The missiles boat attacks Karachi. During the war at the time of Operation Trident, he displayed a fearless and courageous approach as there was a threat of air-water land attack. His great leaderships leads to the success of Op. Trident and war in India’s favour.
Cmde Yadav was promoted to Captain and then Commodore after. He also served as the state Director of National Cadet Corps (NCC) before retiring from the Navy in 1982. After his retirement, he served briefly in the Merchant Navy and died of natural causes at the age of 82.
Cmde Yadav’s bravery is the stuff of legend and he is undoubtedly an iconic figure of the Indian Navy. Cmde Yadav is one of the most respected officers of the Indian Navy and the nation will always remember him as one of its greatest soldiers.
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