1965 War Hero Alfred Tyrone Cooke 🛩️ | Which Gallantry Award Did He Receive? | Current Affairs 2026

Q. 1965 war veteran Flight Lieutenant Alfred Tyrone Cooke, who passed away in September 2026, was a recipient of which Indian gallantry decoration?
✅ Answer: Vir Chakra 🇮🇳
Flight Lieutenant Alfred Tyrone Cooke was awarded the Vir Chakra, India’s third-highest wartime gallantry award, for his bravery during the 1965 India-Pakistan War. The Tribune
🔑 Key Facts:
– 🪖 Name: Flight Lieutenant Alfred Tyrone Cooke
– 🇮🇳 Force: Indian Air Force
– 🏅 Gallantry Award: Vir Chakra
– ⚔️ War: 1965 India-Pakistan War
– 📍 Battle: Air battle over Kalaikunda, West Bengal
– ✈️ Aircraft: Hawker Hunter
– 🎯 Action: Cooke engaged Pakistani Sabre fighter aircraft and shot down one enemy aircraft.
– 📜 The official Gazette records the effective date of the award as 7 September 1965. eGazette
– 🕊️ Cooke passed away in New Delhi in September 2026 at the age of 87. newindianexpress.com
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