Subedar Karam Singh PVC, MM (15 September 1915 – 20 January 1993), a Sikh, was born in Barnala, Punjab. He was an Indian military war hero who was awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest wartime military award, in 1948. Singh retired from the Indian Army as Honorary Captain. He was survived by his wife Gurdial Kaur, who died on 19 June 2010. He was the first non-posthumous and first Sikh Param Vir Chakra (PVC) awardee. He received the award from the first president of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad. He, along with four others, were selected by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first Prime Minister to hoist the national flag after Independence on 15 August 1947.
Subedar Karam SinghPVC | |
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Born
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15 September 1915
Barnala, Punjab
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Died
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20 January 1993 (aged 77)
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Allegiance
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British Indian Empire
Republic of India
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Service/branch
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British Indian Army
Indian Army
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Years of service
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1941–
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Rank
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Honorary Captain
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Unit
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1 SIKH
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Battles/wars
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World War II
Indo-Pakistani War of 1947
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Awards
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Param Vir Chakra
Military Medal
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CITATION
SUBEDAR KARAM SINGH
1 SIKH (NO 22356)
Tithwal in Jammu and Kashmir was captured on 23 May 1948. After that date, the enemy made numerous attempts to recapture Richmar Gali, and thence Tithwal. On 13 October 1948, coinciding with Id, the enemy decided to launch a brigade attack to retake Richmar Gali, and bypassing Tithwal, advance into the Srinagar Valley. Lance Naik Karam Singh was commanding a section at Richmar Gali.
The enemy commenced its attack with heavy shelling of guns and mortars. The fire was so accurate that not a single bunker in the platoon locality was left unscathed.
Communication trenches caved in. Bravely, Lance Naik karam Singh went from bunker to bunker, giving succor to the wounded and urging the men to fight.
The enemy launched eight separate attacks that day. In one such attack, the enemy managed to obtain a foothold in the platoon locality. Immediately, Lance Naik Karam Singh, who was severely wounded by then, with a few men, hurled himself in a counter-attack and evicted the enemy after a close quarter encounter which accounted for many enemy dead, having been dispatched by the bayonet.
Lance Naik Karam Singh proved himself to be a dauntless leader of men in crisis. Nothing could subdue him and no amount of fire or hardship could break his spirit.
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