Major General Madan Mohan Singh Bakshi Maha Vir Chakra IC-1697
Major General Madan Mohan Singh Bakshi was born on 14th Nov, 1925. He graduated in 1944 and got his commission in the Indian Army on 17th March, 1945 at the young age of 19 years. In 1945 during Partition, his family shifted to Rohtak, Haryana. During the period of his education, Major General Bakshi was a brilliant student and an active sportsman. He was fond of Horse riding, Tennis and Hockey. In the Army he attended various courses like Intelligence, Defense Services Staff College etc. He also attended the Tank Armored Course in British Army School in 1960. He served the Indian Army in both the 1965 India-Pakistan War as well as 1971 India-Pakistan war. He remained Director, Armored Corps at Army Headquarters from 1972 to 1975.
1965 India-Pakistan War: In this war, the then Lt Colonel MMS Bakshi was given the command of the tank regiment, the Hodson's Horse. His regiment was assigned the task of protecting the left flank of an Armored Brigade during the attack on Phillora. While the regiment was still deploying, Lt Colonel Bakshi spotted a squadron of Pakistani Patton tanks waiting in 'hull down' positions. He engaged the enemy and knocked out two of their tanks. He continued his charge on the enemy tanks though by then his tank had received tow direct hits. He managed to know out yet another enemy tank. His tank had now received four hits and was on fire. He ordered the crew to bale out. When outside he and his crew were surrounded by the crews of the enemy tanks that he had knocked out and came under intense machine gun fire. They managed evade capture and hid in some nearby sugarcane fields. They were rescued from there by another tank regiment, the 17 Horse.
Major General MMS Bakshi's inspiring leadership and courage made a significant contribution to the capture of Phillora. For the exemplary courage, determination and leadership displayed by Lieutenant Colonel MMS Bakshi in the face of overwhelming odds, he was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra (MVC) on September 11, 1965.