Ramesh Sakharam Benegal

Air Commodre Ramesh Sakharam Benegal AVSM, MVC (born 9 October 1926 – died April 2003) was an ex-officer of the Indian Air Force and a recipient of Maha Vir Chakra, India's second highest gallantry Award. In his youth, Air Cmde Benegal joined the Indian National Army and was chosen to join the Tokyo Boys to train as a fighter pilot. He went on to attend the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force Academy in 1944. Held as a prisoner of war after the fall of Japan, Benegal was released in 1946 and enlisted in the Indian Airforce in 1952 and saw action in both the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pak War. For his services in 1971, Benegal was awarded the Ati Vishist Seva Medal and the Mahavir Chakra.