Tul Bahadur Pun VC |
|
---|---|
Tul Bahadur Pun
|
|
Native name | तुल बहादुर पुन |
Born | 23 March 1923 (or 1919) Myagdi, Nepal |
Died | 20 April 2011 Myagdi, Nepal |
Allegiance |
British India United Kingdom |
Service/branch |
British Indian Army British Army |
Years of service | 1939 - 1959 |
Rank | Lieutenant |
Unit | 6th Queen Elizabeth's Own Gurkha Rifles |
Battles/wars |
World War II Malayan Emergency |
Awards |
Tul Bahadur Pun VC (Nepali: तुल बहादुर पुन; 23 March 1923 (or 1919) – 20 April 2011) was a Nepalese Gurkha recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. He later achieved the rank of Honorary Lieutenant. In addition to the Victoria Cross, Pun was awarded 10 other medals, including the Burma Star.
Pun was 21 years old, and a Rifleman in the 3rd Battalion, 6th Gurkha Rifles, in the Indian Army during World War II when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross:
On 23 June 1944 at Mogaung, Burma, during an attack on the railway bridge, a section of one of the platoons was wiped out with the exception of Rifleman Tul Bahadur Pun, his section commander and one other. The section commander immediately led a charge on the enemy position but was at once badly wounded, as was the third man. Rifleman Pun, with a Bren gun continued the charge alone in the face of shattering fire and reaching the position, killed three of the occupants and put five more to flight, capturing two light machine-guns and much ammunition. He then gave accurate supporting fire, enabling the rest of his platoon to reach their objective.
War Office, 9th November, 1944
The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the VICTORIA CROSS to:-
No. 10119 Rifleman Tulbahadur [sic] Pun, 6th Gurkha Rifles, Indian Army.
In Burma on 23 June 1944, a Battalion of the 6th Gurkha Rifles was ordered to attack the Railway Bridge at Mogaung. Immediately the attack developed the enemy opened concentrated and sustained cross fire at close range from a position known as the Red House and from a strong bunker position two hundred yards to the left of it.