Vaino Olavi Partanen
Encyclopedia
Chief Warrant Officer
Vaino Olavi Partanen was a member of the Canadian Forces
and a recipient of the Cross of Valour
for his actions during an engine room explosion aboard the HMCS Kootenay
. The Cross of Valour is Canada's highest decoration for bravery.
His citation reads:
CWO Partanen was also a recipient of the Canadian Forces Decoration
.
Chief Warrant Officer
Chief warrant officer is a military rank used by the Canadian Forces and the Israel Defence Forces.-Canada:In the Canadian Forces, a chief warrant officer or CWO is the most senior non-commissioned member rank in the Canadian Army and the Royal Canadian Air Force...
Vaino Olavi Partanen was a member of the Canadian Forces
Canadian Forces
The Canadian Forces , officially the Canadian Armed Forces , are the unified armed forces of Canada, as constituted by the National Defence Act, which states: "The Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada and consist of one Service called the Canadian Armed Forces."...
and a recipient of the Cross of Valour
Cross of Valour (Canada)
The Cross of Valour is a decoration that is, within the Canadian system of honours, the second highest award , the highest honour available for Canadian civilians, and the highest of the three Canadian Bravery Decorations...
for his actions during an engine room explosion aboard the HMCS Kootenay
HMCS Kootenay (DDE 258)
HMCS Kootenay was a that served in the Royal Canadian Navy from 1959-1996.She was the fifth ship in her class and the second vessel to carry the designation ....
. The Cross of Valour is Canada's highest decoration for bravery.
His citation reads:
- CWO Vaino Olavi Partanen was Chief engine room artificer aboard the HMCS Kootenay. He remained at his post to inform the bridge when an explosion and fire devastated the engine room. HMCS Kootenay, one of seven "Restigouche"-class-destroyer-escorts in the Canadian Navy was conducting full power trials on October 23, 1969 in the Western Approaches to the English Channel with eight other Canadian ships. At 8:21 in the morning there was an explosion in the engine room. Intense heat, flame and smoke engulfed the engine room almost immediately and spread to adjacent passageways and to the boiler room. There were immediate orders to clear the engine room but CWO Partanen, in full knowledge that he was in mortal danger, remained behind in order to report the situation by telephone to the officer of watch on the bridge. He died moments after attempting to make his effort.
CWO Partanen was also a recipient of the Canadian Forces Decoration
Canadian Forces Decoration
The Canadian Forces Decoration is a Canadian award bestowed upon members of the Canadian Forces who have completed twelve years of military service, with certain conditions. By convention, it is also given to the Governor General of Canada upon his or her appointment as viceroy, which includes the...
.