Quick Info
| Profession | Defence Personnel |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Indian |
| Date of Birth | 24/12/1932 |
| Age | 32 years (died on 07, Sep, 1965) |
| Birthplace | Coorg, Coorg Province, British India (now Kodagu, Karnataka, India) |
| Date of Death | 07/09/1965 |
Latest News about Ajjamada Boppayya Devayya
07/09/2025
On 7 September 2025, the Indian Air Force and the nation commemorated Squadron Leader Ajjamada Boppayya Devayya on the 60th anniversary of his heroic sacrifice during the 1965 Indo-Pak War. Official ceremonies were held at his memorial in Madikeri, Karnataka, honoring his unique feat of shooting down an F-104 Starfighter and becoming the first IAF officer to receive the Maha Vir Chakra posthumously.
12/01/2025
Actor Veer Pahariya portrayed Squadron Leader Ajjamada Boppayya Devayya in the 2025 war film 'Sky Force', bringing renewed attention to Devayya's legendary bravery. The film, based on real events from the 1965 war, highlighted Devayya's interception of the F-104 Starfighter and his ultimate sacrifice, sparking widespread public interest and tributes to the unsung hero.
Do you like Ajjamada Boppayya Devayya?
You can vote only once.
Bio/Wiki
| Other Names |
|
|---|---|
| Nickname | Tabby |
| Names Earned |
|
| Famous for |
|
Physical Stats & More
| Height | 5' 9" (175 cm) |
|---|---|
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Hair Color | Black |
Educational Qualification(s)
| Degree | Graduation in science |
|---|---|
| Institutions | Royal Air Force College, Cranwell, UK |
Relationships & More
| Marital Status | Married |
|---|
Family
| Father | Dr. Ajjamada Bopayya (deceased) |
|---|---|
| Mother | Neelamma (deceased) |
| Spouse | Sundari Devayya |
| Children |
|
Career
| Service/Branch | Indian Air Force |
|---|---|
| Rank | Squadron Leader |
| Service Years | 6 November 1954 - 7 September 1965 |
| Stream | Flying (Fighter Pilot) |
| Career Ranks |
|
| Service Number | 4810 GD(P) |
| Military Decoration | Maha Vir Chakra, awarded posthumously on 23 April 1988 |
| Legacy |
|
| Unit | No. 1 Squadron (The Tigers) |
| Aircraft Flown | Mystere IVa fighter bomber |
| Notable Mission | Strike mission on Sargodha airbase, Pakistan (7 September 1965) |
| Key Achievement | Shot down an F-104 Starfighter during the 1965 Indo-Pak War, sacrificing his life |
Some Lesser Known Facts
| 1. From a young age, Devayya dreamed of becoming a pilot in the Indian Air Force. | |
| 2. He attended the Royal Air Force College in Cranwell, UK, where he excelled as one of the top students. | |
| 3. Joined the IAF as a Flying Officer in November 1954 after completing his military training. | |
| 4. He became one of the few fighter pilots to be an instructor within five years of service. | |
| 5. Participated in a significant air raid during the 1965 Indo-Pakistan War under the leadership of Group Captain Om Prakash Taneja. | |
| 6. Initially designated as MIA, Devayya's fate remained uncertain for years until a 1979 publication provided insights into his final moments. | |
| 7. In 1988, he was posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, making history as the first IAF personnel to receive this distinction posthumously. | |
| 8. Born in the village of Manchalli in South Kodagu. | |
| 9. Served as a fighter aircraft pilot instructor at the Air Force Flying College in Dundigal before the 1965 war. | |
| 10. Flew the Mystere IVa fighter bomber during the 1965 Indo-Pakistan War. | |
| 11. Commissioned as part of the 64th Pilots’ Course. | |
| 12. During the Sargodha mission, he was initially designated as a standby but joined the air battle when needed. | |
| 13. Intercepted by Pakistani pilot Flight Lieutenant Amjad Hussain flying an F-104 Starfighter, Devayya successfully evaded initial attacks and damaged the enemy aircraft before his own plane was destroyed. | |
| 14. His body was found by villagers near Sargodha and buried by Pakistani forces; this information was revealed years later by Pakistan. | |
| 15. He was the only Indian pilot to shoot down an F-104 Starfighter in combat history |