Cecil Vivian Parker

Air Vice Marshal Cecil Vivian Parker, MVC, VM is a former air officer of the Indian Air Force. During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, he was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, India's second highest military decoration. He last served as the Commandant of the Air Force Academy.

Early life Parker was born in Secunderabad, India, to P. R. and E. S. Parker.

Military career Parker was commissioned into the Indian Air Force on 31 August 1952. He saw action in both the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pakistani Wars.

In October 1966, as wing commander, he formed an operational training unit and was the unit's first commanding officer. Here, he implemented a high level of instructional technique, standardisation and ensured a high quality of training for the pupils that passed through the unit, for which he was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal.

Maha Vir Chakra Citation The citation for the Maha Vir Chakra reads as follows:

Post-war career During his career in the IAF spanning 35 years, he created a record of flying 22 types of aircraft and logged 3,850 flying hours.

Parker later rose to the rank of Air Vice Marshal in July 1983, before retiring on 31 Aug 1986.