Wing Commander Darryl Castelino, KC (2 November 1975 – 25 June 2013) was an Indian Air Force Officer, detailed as the Captain of a Mi-17 V5 helicopter in the disaster relief operations being undertaken by the Indian Air Force in Uttarakhand.[2] Castelino was a recipient of the Kirti Chakra,[3] India's second in order of precedence of a peacetime gallantry award. As noted in his award commendation, Castelino was a "determined officer pressed on with a single-minded focus of saving precious lives" and "displayed acts of conspicuous courage, professional competence, and valor for undertaking the high risk of the mission to save precious lives in hostile weather conditions."[2]


Darryl Castelino

Portrait of Wg Cdr Darryl Castelino
Birth nameDarryl Castelino
Nickname(s)Castro Dayavan[1]
Born(1975-11-02)2 November 1975
Kalina, Santacruz, Mumbai
Died25 June 2013(2013-06-25) (aged 37)
Gaurikund, Uttarakhand
Buried 19°26′31″N 72°31′44″E / 19.442°N 72.529°E / 19.442; 72.529
AllegianceIndia India
Service / branch Indian Air Force
Years of service1998-2013
Rank Wing Commander
Service number25107 F(P)
Operation Rahat
Awards Kirti Chakra (posthumous)
Spouse(s)Jyothi Castelino
ChildrenEthan Castelino(Son)
Angelina Castelino(Daughter)

References

edit
  1. ^ "Wing Commander Darryl Castelino KC | Honourpoint".
  2. ^ a b "Wing Commander Darryl Castelino | Gallantry Awards". gallantryawards.gov.in. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  3. ^ "President Pranab Mukherjee confers gallantry awards". India Today. 22 March 2014.