Colonel Santosh Babu, who laid down his life while resisting an attack by the Chinese Army at Ladakh's Galwan Valley last year, was accorded the Maha Vir Chakra posthumously on Tuesday.
The official citation stated that Colonel Babu led the defence from the front despite being grievously injured.
In recognition of his valour and sacrifice, he has been accorded the military decoration, which is the second-highest of its type in India after the Param Vir Chakra.
The government also accorded posthumous honours to other personnel of the Indian Army who sacrificed their lives to resist the Chinese attack at Galwan Valley.
Naib Subedar Nuduram Soren, Havildar K Palani, Naik Deepak Singh, Sepoy Gurtej Singh – all of who have been recognised for their gallant actions during Operation Snow Leopard – have been accorded Vir Chakras posthumously.