Abdul Hafiz (VC)
Template:Short description Template:Use Indian English Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox military person Rao Abdul Hafiz Khan Template:Post-nominals (4 September 1925Template:Snd6 April 1944) was an Indian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. He was the youngest Indian recipient of the award.
His was one of three World War II VC's awarded for action in British India, the others being awarded to John Pennington Harman and John Niel Randle both at the Battle of Kohima.<ref>Template:Cite book pp330-331.</ref>
Details
Rao Abdul Hafiz hailed from Kalanaur, British Punjab, born on the 4th of September, 1925 to Choudhry Nur Mohammed in a Rajput family of the Panwar clan. He was at the age of 18, and serving as Naib Subedar in the 9th Jat Regiment, British Indian Army during World War II, when he performed the deeds for which he was awarded the VC.
On 6 April 1944, during the Battle of Imphal, Naib Subedar Rao Abdul Hafiz Khan was ordered to attack with his platoon a prominent position held by the enemy, the only approach to which was across a bare slope and then up a very steep hill. The Naib Subedar led the assault, himself killing several of the enemy, pressing on regardless of machine-gun fire. He received two wounds, the second of which was fatal; but he had succeeded in routing an enemy vastly superior in numbers, and had captured a most important position.
The citation reads as follows:
The Medal
His VC is on display in the Lord Ashcroft Gallery at the Imperial War Museum, London.<ref> Template:Cite web </ref>
