Biography

Chief Petty Officer 1st Class 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 the highest Canadian award 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.

CPO1 Partanen enlisted in February 4, 1950. His service number was 8833H. He was a recipient of the Canadian Forces Decoration, United Nations Service Medal for Korea, Korea Medal and Centennial Medal (1967).

Buried in the Brookwood Military Cemetery, Brookwood, Surrey, England, UK; plot: Plot 4, Grave 224008, Row A.

Commemorated on Page 144 of the In the Service of Canada Book of Remembrance.

Sources and Notes

• The navy rank "Chief Petty Officer 1st Class" (or CPO1) may also appear as "Chief Warrant Officer" (or CWO) when one uses the army equivalent.
• Governor General of Canada site
• HMCS Kootenay, Gearbox Explosion, by Sandy McClearn