Major Rajiv Kumar Joon, AC, SC was born on 5 December 1969 in Gaddi Kheri village of Rohtak district, Haryana. He completed his schooling at Sainik School, Kunjpura and subsequently joined the National Defence Academy. He was commissioned into the Indian Army on 8 June 1991 and joined the 22nd Battalion of The Grenadiers.
In September 1992, his unit was inducted into Jammu & Kashmir for counter-insurgency operations. Major Joon distinguished himself through his courage and combat leadership and was awarded the Shaurya Chakra for an earlier counter-insurgency action.
On 16 September 1994, Major Joon led a cordon and search operation in Arijan Dessar village in Anantnag district after intelligence indicated the presence of militants. During the operation, two militants opened fire from a concealed position inside a house. Major Joon personally moved towards the hideout and engaged the militants despite heavy fire. He was seriously wounded but refused to withdraw and continued leading the assault. He ultimately killed the remaining militant before succumbing to his injuries.
For his extraordinary courage, leadership and supreme sacrifice, Major Rajiv Kumar Joon was posthumously awarded the Ashoka Chakra, India's highest peacetime gallantry award.