| Namdeo Jadav | |
|---|---|
| Born | 18 November 1921 |
| Died | 2 August 1964 (aged 42) |
| Allegiance | Indian Army |
| Rank | Havildar |
| Unit | 5th Maratha Light Infantry |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Victoria Cross |
Namdeo Jadav VC (18 November 1921 – 2 August 1964) 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 23 years old, and a Sepoy in the 5th Mahratta Light Infantry, in the Indian Army during World War II when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 9 April 1945 at the Senio River, Italy, when a small party were almost wiped out in an assault on the east floodbank of the river, Sepoy Namdeo Jadav carried two wounded men under heavy fire through deep water, up a steep bank and through a mine belt to safety. Then, determined to avenge his dead comrades, he eliminated three enemy machine-gun posts. Finally, climbing on top of the bank he shouted the Maratha war cry and waved the remaining companies across. He not only saved many lives but enabled the battalion to secure the bridgehead and ultimately to crush all enemy resistance in the area. He is from Virgaon, Ahamadnagar, Maharashtra.
He later achieved the rank of Havildar.
please update if you know where his medal is publicly displayed