Reportage: Archana Masih| Photograph: Seema Pant

Major Walia's photograph at the Pentagon hangs among many other photographs of his on the walls of his home.

'Colonel' was the nickname given to him by his peers who had come from 80 other countries.

When the six-month course ended, Major Walia -- the only Indian in the group -- had topped it.

By the time he was deputed as aide-de-camp to the chief of army staff, he had amassed considerable battle experience and was twice decorated with gallantry awards for combating militancy in Jammu and Kashmir.

"He set an example and inspired young officers," says General Malik who admired his competence, maturity and his ability to lead from the front. "In fact, his name for ADC was suggested by an officer who was junior to him."

When the Kargil war broke out Major Walia was on deputation to the army chief. His battalion, 9 Para, was fighting the enemy and Sudhir was desperate to get to the battlefront.

He had all the experience, had been trained for that kind of warfare and when the country needed him most, he was bound to a desk at army headquarters in New Delhi.

'Sir, please allow me to join my battalion,' he requested the army chief. General Malik gave him permission and Sudhir once again found his name amongst India's best warriors when he recaptured Zulu Ridge.