New Delhi. Air Marshal Denzil Keeler, a gallant officer of the Indian Air Force and a hero of the 1965 Indo-Pak war, will perhaps be best remembered for shooting down an enemy Sabre jet on the battlefield. Keeler, 90, who was awarded the Vir Chakra for his bravery in the 1965 war, died on Wednesday in Gurugram, Haryana, people close to his family said.
Denzil Keeler was born in December 1933 in Lucknow. He and Trevor Keeler were known as fighter pilot brothers and achieved legendary status. Trevor Keeler had the distinction of being the first fighter pilot in independent India to shoot down a target mid-air. He also shot down a Sabre jet in the 1965 war. Denzil Keeler also took part in the Indo-Pak war of 1971, which led to the creation of Bangladesh.
A senior officer said, “He shot down a Sabre aircraft of the Pakistani Army during the 1965 war. He and his brother are heroes of the Indian Air Force.” According to details published on the official website of gallantry awards, Denzil Keeler, who joined the Indian Air Force in May 1954, also received the Kirti Chakra for his courage during two aircraft emergencies in 1978 (as a Group Captain). Kirti Chakra is India’s second highest peacetime gallantry award.
His Kirti Chakra citation reads, “Group Captain Denzil Keeler VRC (4805) F(P) was posted in August 1975 to a prestigious unit that develops tactics and imparts combat training. It states that in March 1978 when Group Captain Keeler was flying a Type 77 aircraft at high altitude, its ‘canopy’ flew off and he was exposed to extreme adverse conditions and severe ‘air blast’. In the incident, he suffered injuries to his eyes, eardrum and left hand, making it difficult for him to control the aircraft.
The citation says, “Although it would have been entirely justified to abandon the aircraft at that stage, he made full use of his skill and experience to regain control of the aircraft. Under extremely adverse conditions… Group Captain Keeler brought the aircraft back to base and succeeded in landing it safely in an emergency.” With his flying skill, determination, presence of mind and courage, at great personal risk, he was able to save a valuable aircraft.
Once again in May 1978, during straight flight, the aircraft was damaged by shrapnel from a 23 mm shell explosion, but despite this he managed to land the aircraft safely under extremely difficult circumstances, according to the commendation citation. It says that his excellent and skillful handling in these two critical emergencies saved two valuable aircraft. The citation says, “Group Captain Denzil Keeler displayed indomitable courage, exemplary professional skill and devotion to duty in securing the aircraft at the risk of his own life.”