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Vian, Philip Louis

Date of birth:
July 15th, 1894
Date of death:
May 27th, 1968
Nationality:
British (1801-present, Kingdom)

Biography

Promotions:
15th February 1916:Lieutenant;
15th February 1924: Lieutenant-commander;
30th June 1929: Commander;
31st December 1934: Captain;
8th July 1941: Rear-Admiral;
8th May 1945: Vice-Admiral;
26th September 1948: Admiral;
1st June 1952: Admiral of the fleet (retired).

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Captain
Unit:
H.M.S. Cossack
Awarded on:
April 12th, 1940
Citation:
"For outstanding ability, determination and resource in the preliminary dispositions which led to the rescue of 300 English prisoners from the German Armed Auxiliary Altmark, and for daring, leadership and masterly handling of his ship in narrow waters so as to bring her alongside and board the enemy, who tried to blind him with the glare of a searchlight, worked his engine full ahead and full astern, tried to ram him and drive him ashore and so threatened the grounding and loss of Cossack."

Published in The London Gazette dated April 12th, 1940.
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Captain
Unit:
H.M.S. Cossack
Awarded on:
July 19th, 1940
Mentioned in Dispatches
Citation:
"For gallantry and coolness in action against heavy odds off the Coast of Norway."

Published in The London Gazette dated July 19th, 1940.
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Captain
Unit:
H.M.S. Cossack
Awarded on:
December 3rd, 1940
Citation:
"For gallantry and resource in successful action against the Enemy."

Second DSO received as a bar for on the ribbon of the first DSO.
Published in The London Gazette dated December 3rd, 1940.
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Rear-Admiral (then Captain)
Unit:
H.M.S. Cossack
Awarded on:
October 14th, 1941
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Citation:
"For mastery, determination and skill in action against the German Battleship Bismarck."

Third DSO received as a second bas for on the ribbon of the first DSO.
Published in The London Gazette dated October 14th, 1941.
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Rear-Admiral
Awarded on:
March 31st, 1942
Citation:
"For daring and resolution in a brilliant action against strong Enemy forces, which resulted in the safe passage to Malta of an important Convoy."

Military division.
Published in The London Gazette, dated March 31st, 1942.
Knights/Dames Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (K/DBE)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Rear-Admiral
Awarded on:
January 1st, 1943
Citation:
"For bravery in face of the Enemy or in dangerous waters, or for zeal and devotion to duty."

Published in The London Gazette dated January 1st, 1943.
Mentioned in Dispatches
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Rear-Admiral
Awarded on:
December 21st, 1943
Citation:
"For gallant and distinguished services and untiring devotion to duty in operations which led to the capture of Sicily by Allied forces."

Published in The London Gazette dated December 21st, 1943.
Mentioned in Dispatches
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Rear-Admiral
Awarded on:
May 23rd, 1944
Citation:
"For outstanding courage, resolution, leadership, skill or devotion to duty."

Published in The London Gazette, dated May 23rd, 1944.
Mentioned in Dispatches
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Rear-Admiral
Awarded on:
June 8th, 1944

Military division.
Published in The London Gazette dated June 8th, 1944.
Companion of The Most Honourable Order of the Bath (CB)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Rear-Admiral
Awarded on:
July 25th, 1944
Citation:
"For distinguished services in the planning and execution of the successful Allied landings in Normandy."

Military division.
Published in The London Gazette dated 25th July 1944.
Commander of The Most Honourable Order of the Bath (KCB/DCB)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Rear-Admiral
Awarded on:
May 1st, 1945
Citation:
"For bravery, skill and devotion to duty whilst serving in H.M. Ships Victorious, Illustrious, Indefatigable, Indomitable and King George V in attacks on enemy oil installations at Palembang, Sumatra."

Published in The London Gazette dated May 1st, 1945.
Mentioned in Dispatches
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Rear-Admiral
Awarded on:
July 17th, 1945

Permission to wear granted in The London Gazette dated July 17th, 1945.
Legion of Merit - Commander (LoM - C)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Vice-Admiral
Awarded on:
August 13th, 1946

Permission granted for wearing the decoration through The London Gazette, dated August 13th, 1946.
Distinguished Service Medal - Navy/USMC
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Vice-Admiral
Awarded on:
July 20th, 1948

Received with oakleaves.
Permission to wear was granted in The London Gazette dated July 20th, 1948.
St Olavsmedaljen

Sources

  • - Newspaper article decorations Altmark operation
    - Supplement to The London Gazette of 9th April 1940, Issue 34827, dated 12th April 1940
    - Supplement to The London Gazette of 19th July 1940, Issue 34901, dated 19th July 1940
    - Second Supplement to The London Gazette of 3rd December 1940, Issue 35007, dated 3rd December 1940
    - Third Supplement to The London Gazette of 10th October 1941, Issue 35307, dated 14th October 1941
    - Third Supplement to The London Gazette of 27th March 1942, Issue 35506, dated 31st March 1942
    - Second Supplement to The London Gazette of 29th December 1942, Issue 35841, dated 1st January 1943
    - Fifth Supplement ot The London Gazette of 17th December 1943, Issue 36295, dated 21st December 1943
    - Fourth Supplement to The London Gazette of 19th May 1944, Issue 36526, dated 23rd May 1944
    - Supplement ot The London Gazette of 2nd June 1944, Issue 36544, dated 8th June 1944
    - Third Supplement of The London Gazette of 13th July 1945, Issue 37180, dated 17th July 1945
    - Fourth Supplement to The London Gazette of 21st July 1944, Issue 36624, dated 25th July 1944
    - Third Supplement to The London Gazette of 27th April 1945, Issue 37058, dated 1st May 1945
    - Third Supplement to The London Gazette of 9th August 1946, Issue 37683, dated 13th August 1946
    - The London Gazette of 20th July 1948, Issue 38358

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