Squadron Leader Samuel Venkatarao was a navigator of a detachment which was detailed for famine relief operations under very adverse weather conditions in the Mizo Hills area in 1960. He contributed greatly towards successful air-drops of more than 300 tons of food at various difficult dropping zones in that area. In October 1961, he was mainly responsible for setting up a detachment at Gauhati at a very short notice. With an average of two Dakotas a day, he ensured the delivery of 500 tons of supplies to the forward post at Towang in one month. The success of the detachment was due to his ingenuity, resourcefulness and ceaseless efforts. He has so far flown over 5730 hours including about 1000 hours by night. He is also an experienced and qualified Navigation instructor and has about 2000 hours of instructional flying to his credit.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Samuel Venkatarao has shown courage, organizational ability and professional skill.