The recipient J. Kurian, was an Indian serviceman of the Christian faith from Travancore-Cochin State (now present day Kerala), who held the rank of Leading Aircraftman while serving with the Royal Indian Air Force on 15 August 1947In January 1950, in which month India became a republic, the Royal Indian Air Force, like all other branches of the Indian Armed Forces that had royal titles, dropped all use of the royal prefix and was restyled as the Indian Air Force, or I.A.F.A scarce seen named Indian Independence Medal to an Indian serviceman who served in the Royal Indian Air ForceCondition: VF