Group Captain John Jasper Bouche (2938) was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in June, 1943, in the General Duties (Pilot) Branch. During the Second World War, he served in a fighter Squadron, trained as a Pilot Attack Instructor, completed a full tenure at the Armament Training Wing, Air Force, as its Chief Instructor and was responsible for the operational training, standardization and enhancement of combat efficiency of all operational squadrons of the Air Force during that period.

Although an officer of the General Duties Branch, he was specially selected to undergo a full term Technical Course at the Air Force Technical College, on completion of which he took over Command of the Aircraft and Armament Testing Unit. In this capacity Group Captain Bouche was personally responsible for the development of the Gnat aircraft which was adopted by the Air Force as its main interceptor element. Once he was faced with a grave emergency when the Gnat aircraft that he was flying had a hydraulic failure and went out of control. Having no other alternative the officer had to reluctantly eject. However, the aircraft's seat did not detach itself from his body and after a prolonged and dreadful free fall without an opened parachute, he managed to extricate himself from the seat and just managed to open his parachute in time before he landed on the ground.

Group Captain John Jasper Bouche has been in command of an operational wing in the eastern sector which was used as the base for both fighters as well as logistic air support squadrons. Through his personal supervision, zeal and excellent operational knowledge he brought up the operational efficiency of the squadron under his control.

On relinquishing his command of the operational wing in the eastern sector he was posted as an Air Staff Officer in Headquarters Eastern Air Command. During this tenure, the Mizo Hill operations started. Although posted as a staff officer in Command Headquarters, this officer personally took control of the operations and remained at the base from where both offensive and transport support operations were being conducted. He set up a new Air Force Station for better co­ordination and operational performance of the Air Force elements deployed against the Mizo hostiles. The results obtained were highly satisfactory.

Group Captain John Jasper Bouche has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.