Major Somnath Sharma was an Indian Army officer and the first recipient of India’s highest military decoration, the Param Vir Chakra. Born on January 31, 1923, in Pindras, Uttarakhand (then part of United Provinces), he was commissioned into the Indian Army in 1942 during British rule. Sharma became a symbol of extraordinary bravery and sacrifice during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947–48, which was one of the first conflicts fought by independent India after Partition. On November 3, 1947, Major Sharma was commanding a small contingent of troops at the Srinagar airfield, which was under threat from invading tribal militias supported by Pakistan. Despite being heavily outnumbered, he led a fierce defense, holding his ground for several hours and inflicting significant damage on the attackers. Unfortunately, he was fatally wounded during this battle. His courageous actions helped prevent the fall of Srinagar, a critical strategic point, and bought vital time for reinforcements to arrive. For his extraordinary valor and leadership, Major Somnath Sharma was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, inspiring generations of Indian soldiers.