Service No : IC-7750
Date of Birth : Mar 20,1935
Birth Place : Haryana
Service: Army
Last Rank: Lt Gen
UNIT: 3 Grenadiers
Regiment : The Grenadiers
Operation: Cactus Lily
Awards: Maha Vir Chakra
Date of Demise: Dec 28, 2007
Lieutenant Colonel Ved Prakash Airy was born on March 20th 1935. He was son of Mr Ganga Bishen Airy, a resident of Karnal district in Haryana. He joined NDA after his education in Govt. High School and Dyal Singh College, Karnal. On 03rd June 1956 he was commissioned into 3 Grenadiers.
During the 1971 war with Pakistan Lieutenant Colonel VP Airy was posted at the western front and was commanding a battalion of the Grenadiers. His battalion , located in the Bhairo Nath and Basantar River in the Shakargarh Sector of the Western Front, was there to thwart any attempt of Pakistani army’s aggression and to capture the enemy area. The battle of Basantar which lasted from December 4–16, 1971 was one of the vital battles fought as part of the Indo Pakistan war of 1971 in the western sector of India. The Indian troops won a hard fought battle that secured this area in the Punjab/Jammu sector. During the battle Lt Col VP Airy led his men from the front and seeing his cool and calm demeanour and raw courage, the entire battalion was inspired and charged to take on the enemy with their full might. The battalion under his able leadership not only captured the enemy positions after a fierce fight but held on to them despite massive counter-attacks by the enemy. With utter disregard for his personal safety, under heavy enemy shelling and small arms fire, he went from trench to trench motivating his men. Due to his personal example and bold leadership his battalion remained steadfast and resolute. Throughout the action, Lieutenant Colonel Ved Prakash Airy displayed conspicuous gallantry, determination and inspiring leadership in keeping with the best traditions of the Army for which he was awarded with Maha Vir Chakra which is India’s second highest military decoration.
Later, he rose to the rank of Lieutenant General before retiring from the active service of army. He died his natural death on 28th December 2007.
The citation for the Maha Vir Chakra awarded to him reads:
Lieutenant Colonel V.P. Airy was commanding battalion of the Grenadiers in the battles of Bhairo Nath and Basantar River in the Shakargarh Sector of the Western Front. He led his battalion with cool courage and was always in the forefront, encouraging and inspiring his men, in the battle of the Basantar river, the battalion under his able leadership not only captured the enemy positions after a fierce fight but held on to them despite massive counter-attacks by the enemy. With utter disregard for his personal safety, under heavy enemy shelling and small arms fire, he went from trench to trench motivating his men. Due to his personal example and bold leadership his battalion remained steadfast and resolute.
Throughout the action, Lieutenant Colonel Ved Prakash Airy displayed conspicuous gallantry, determination and inspiring leadership in keeping with the best traditions of the Army.
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Amitabh Thakur
2017 at 12:13 amLt.Gen. Airy was a person I adored right from the time a child starts recognizing people and faces. His parental home was just a few homes away from where I spent my childhood. He was a good friend of my late father and my Hero to be honest. An outstanding gentleman and down to earth person as I recall. Last I met him when he was in New Delhi, 1992.
Sudha Rani
2017 at 5:52 pmI salute your heroism and sacrifice. We shall forever remain indebted to you for your service to the nation. Jai Hind
Varun dahiya
2017 at 7:27 pmSaheedo ki chitaaon par lagege har varsh mele…vataan p mitne vaalon ka yahi nammonishaan hoga..
Arunesh
2018 at 3:43 pmSir, I have few memories to describe here about your patriotic stories told by unit personnel and your son Maj Gen NK Airy…. because I have served as PA to Maj Gen NK Airy . His social behave and a positive thinking for his subordinates/men is under describable …….Arunesh
Debaditya Lahiry
2019 at 4:08 pmLieutenant colonel Ved prakash Airy sir was a great officer under whose leadership Indian Army won the Historic Battle of BASANTAR.
But one thing which was rare in the army is inspite of giving the Pakistan Army a humiliating defeat, he personally wrote a letter to Pakistan Army to commend the Bravery of lieutenant colonel Akram Raja of 35 Frontier-Force Pakistan Army for his bravery who dared a counter attack on him and his battalion when the whole country officially lost the battle
Because of his letter Lieutenant colonel Akram Raja got Hilale-Jurrat second Gallantry award of Pakistan Army (which was equal to Veer-Chakra) of India
Only this is rare cases in army where a soldiergot his gallantry award because of commendation by his Enemy Officer
Hatts of to you Sir
Naresh Sodhi
2020 at 11:36 pmNICE
I AM SEARCHING FOR MY ARTICLE , GREAT INDIAN WARRIOR ANY REGIMENT
NARESH SODHI
JAgdish Soni
2022 at 5:30 pmIts great high tradition of Armed forces to honor enemy Soldiers who fight bravery for their Nation . Salute to General Ved Prakash Sir for showing such great high Tradition of Indian Army
Shreya
2023 at 9:38 pmRest in peace sir. You will be remembered forever for your bravery and commitment to the Indian army. Thank you for keeping us safe and healthy. May your loved ones heal with strength and love. I wish the best of the best for your beautiful soul and all your loved ones. Jai hind
Shreya
2023 at 9:43 pmRest in peace sir. Thank you for your brave commitment and sacrifices. Much love and healing to all your loved ones. May they always have happiness and strength and love along them. You will be remembered forever. I wish the best for your brave soul and all your loved ones. Jai hind