Jerry Prem Raj
Encyclopedia
Captain Jerry Prem Raj, VrC was a commissioned officer in the Indian Army
during the Kargil War
. He was the officer in charge of India's fight at Tiger Hill (Point 5140) on July 9, 1999, during which he was severely injured. He died later the same day. Because of his effort in the battle, he was declared a war hero. His body was cremated in his native Thiruvananthapuram
. He was awarded the Vir Chakra
, the third highest military honor of India that is awarded posthumously.
Capt R Jerry Prem Raj was commissioned into 158 Med Medium Regiment (SP) on 05 Sep 1997. He was a sincere and upright officer with an eye for detail and a pleasant disposition.
Undeterred, he continued his mission amidst heavy enemy fire, when he was yet again hit by a volley of enemy machine gun fire. Gravely injured, he refused to be evacuated and continued to direct accurate artillery fire onto the enemy till he succumbed to his injuries. His spontaneous action resulted in inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy and in the capture of the objective by assaulting infantry. The exceptional display of raw courage and steely resolve in the face of insurmountable odds earned Captain Jerry the award of a 'Vir Chakra' posthumously.
Indian Army
The Indian Army is the land based branch and the largest component of the Indian Armed Forces. With about 1,100,000 soldiers in active service and about 1,150,000 reserve troops, the Indian Army is the world's largest standing volunteer army...
during the Kargil War
Kargil War
The Kargil War ,, also known as the Kargil conflict, was an armed conflict between India and Pakistan that took place between May and July 1999 in the Kargil district of Kashmir and elsewhere along the Line of Control...
. He was the officer in charge of India's fight at Tiger Hill (Point 5140) on July 9, 1999, during which he was severely injured. He died later the same day. Because of his effort in the battle, he was declared a war hero. His body was cremated in his native Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram , formerly known as Trivandrum, is the capital of the Indian state of Kerala and the headquarters of the Thiruvananthapuram District. It is located on the west coast of India near the extreme south of the mainland...
. He was awarded the Vir Chakra
Vir Chakra
Vir Chakra is an Indian gallantry award presented for acts of bravery in the battlefield. Award of the decoration carried with it the right to use Vr.C. as a postnominal abbreviation Vir Chakra is an Indian gallantry award presented for acts of bravery in the battlefield. Award of the decoration...
, the third highest military honor of India that is awarded posthumously.
Personal Life and Career
Capt Jerry Prem Raj was born in Venganoor, near the famous tourist place Kovalam in Trivandrum District of Kerala State. His father is Mr Retna Raj (worked in Department of Technical Education, Kerala) and his mother is Mrs Chella Thayee.(Worked in Health Department of Govt of Kerala). His brother is Rejinald Pavithran who is a retired officer of Indian Air force.Capt R Jerry Prem Raj was commissioned into 158 Med Medium Regiment (SP) on 05 Sep 1997. He was a sincere and upright officer with an eye for detail and a pleasant disposition.
Kargil War
He answered the call of duty and rejoined the unit in Operation Vijay under operation Rakshak after voluntarily cutting short his honeymoon. On the night of 06/07 Jul 1999, he was the Forward Observation Post Officer with 2 Naga during its assault on Twin Bumps in area Point 4875 (Gun Hill) in Dras Sector. During the assault, while directing the artillery fire onto the enemy positions with devastating effect, he was wounded by enemy sniper fire.Undeterred, he continued his mission amidst heavy enemy fire, when he was yet again hit by a volley of enemy machine gun fire. Gravely injured, he refused to be evacuated and continued to direct accurate artillery fire onto the enemy till he succumbed to his injuries. His spontaneous action resulted in inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy and in the capture of the objective by assaulting infantry. The exceptional display of raw courage and steely resolve in the face of insurmountable odds earned Captain Jerry the award of a 'Vir Chakra' posthumously.