Major Som Nath Sharma was the first recipient of the Param Vir Chakra (PVC), India's highest military gallantry award, conferred posthumously for his extraordinary bravery during the Battle of Badgam in Kashmir in November 1947. Born on 31 January 1923 in Himachal Pradesh, he was commissioned into the Kumaon Regiment on 22 February 1942. When Pakistan launched a tribal invasion of Jammu & Kashmir on 22 October 1947 with the aim of forcefully annexing the region, the Indian Army was dispatched to defend the territory and prevent its capture.

On 3 November 1947, Major Sharma's company was assigned a fighting patrol to Badgam village in the Kashmir Valley. Despite being surrounded by enemy forces from three sides and facing an intense artillery bombardment, he and his men held their ground. Aware of the strategic importance of their position, critical to the defense of Srinagar and its airport, Major Sharma led his outnumbered troops with remarkable courage, fighting against odds of seven to one. He and his company fought valiantly to the last man, successfully delaying the enemy’s advance and enabling Indian reinforcements to arrive. His supreme sacrifice and steadfast leadership played a decisive role in safeguarding the Kashmir Valley during one of the most critical moments in India’s military history.