Major Somnath Sharma was born on 31 January 1923 in Dadh village, Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh. He was commissioned into the Kumaon Regiment in 1942 and served in World War II in Burma.
On 3 November 1947, despite his right hand being in a plaster cast due to a hockey injury, Major Sharma insisted on leading his company at Badgam near Srinagar. His company faced a surprise attack by over 700 tribal raiders backed by Pakistan.
Despite being heavily outnumbered, he radioed his battalion: 'I shall not withdraw an inch but will fight to the last man and the last round.' He was killed by a mortar shell. His sacrifice saved Srinagar airport. He was the first recipient of the Param Vir Chakra.