Yogendra Singh Yadav was born on Saturday, 10 May 1980, age 43 years as of 2023, in Aurangabad Ahir village, located in Bulandshahr district of Uttar Pradesh.
Yogendra Singh Yadav is a retired Indian Army soldier who was awarded the Param Vir Chakra (PVC), India's highest military award for his bravery during the Kargil War of 1999. He was part of the 18 Grenadiers unit and was instrumental in capturing three strategic bunkers on Tiger Hill, which were heavily fortified by Pakistani troops. Despite being injured, Yadav continued to lead the charge and eliminate enemy positions. His bravery and leadership in the face of adversity have made him a celebrated hero in India.
Early life: On May 10, 1980, in the Bulandshahr District of Uttar Pradesh's Aurangabad Ahir, Subedar Major Yadav was born into a Yadav family. His father, Karan Singh Yadav, was in the Kumaon Regiment and fought in the Indo-Pakistan Wars in 1965 and 1971. At the age of 16 years and five months, Yadav enlisted in the Indian Army.
In the early hours of July 4, 1999, Yadav joined the 18 Grenadiers and joined the Ghatak Force commando platoon, which was tasked with seizing three vital bunkers on Tiger Hill. The bunkers were perched on top of a sheer, snow-covered cliff face that rose 1,000 feet (300 metres). Yadav offered to lead the attack, scaled the sheer cliff face, and set up ropes to facilitate additional attacks on the feature.
The platoon commander and two other people were killed halfway up when machine gun and rocket fire from an enemy bunker struck. Despite taking multiple gunshot wounds to the groyne and shoulder, Yadav managed to climb the final 60 feet (18 m) and reach the top. Despite being seriously hurt, he managed to crawl to the first bunker where he threw a grenade, killing four Pakistani soldiers and stopping enemy fire. As a result, two of his fellow soldiers and the remainder of the battalion had the chance to ascend the cliff face bunker and engage in hand-to-hand combat, killing four Pakistani soldiers. After that, the platoon was successful in seizing Tiger Hill. Despite receiving 12 gunshot wounds, Yadav was crucial in the organization's capture.
Yadav's posthumous award of the Param Vir Chakra was revealed, but it was soon discovered that he was actually recovering in a hospital and that it was actually his namesake who had been killed during the expedition.
Later career: In 2021, Yadav awarded the honorary rank of Captain by Lieutenant General Rajeev Sirohi. On India's Independence Day in 2021, the President of India awarded Yadav the honorary rank of Captain. The rank badges were given out by Lieutenant General Rajeev Sirohi, Colonel of the Grenadiers and Military Secretary. On December 31, 2021, he retired from the military with the title of Honorary Captain and had a customary send-off.