Chief Petty Officer 1st Class Vaino Olavi Partanen (27 May 1928 – 23 October 1969) was a member of the
Canadian Forces
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The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF; french: Forces armées canadiennes, ''FAC'') are the unified military forces of Canada, including sea, land, and air elements referred to as the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army, and Royal Canadian Air Force.
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and a recipient of the
Cross of Valour for his actions during an engine room explosion aboard
HMCS ''Kootenay'' on 23 October 1969. The Cross of Valour is Canada's highest decoration for bravery in non-combat circumstances. He was born in
Antrea, Finland.
His citation reads:
:CWO Vaino Olavi Partanen was chief engine room artificer aboard 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 23 October 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.
CPO1 Partanen, with his crewmate Petty Officer 2nd Class
Lewis John Stringer
Petty Officer 2nd Class Lewis John Stringer (1930–1969) was one of nine sailors who died aboard in an incident for which he was posthumously awarded the Cross of Valour, Canada's second highest bravery decoration. He is commemorated on a plaqu ...
(also posthumous), were the first recipients of the Cross of Valour. Both men were also recipients of the
Canadian Forces Decoration
The Canadian Forces' Decoration (post-nominal letters "CD") is a Canadian award bestowed upon members of the Canadian Armed Forces who have completed twelve years of military service, with certain conditions. By convention, it is also given to t ...
.
References
Recipients of the Cross of Valour (Canada)
1928 births
1969 deaths
Canadian people of Finnish descent
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