- SURNAME
Dutton
- FORENAME
Brian Frederick
- UNIT
Portsmouth and Medway Clearance Diving Team + Fleet Clearance Diving Team 1,Royal Navy
- RANK
Lieutenant + Lieutenant Commander
- NUMBER
- AWARD
Queen's Gallantry Medal, Distinguished Service Order
- PLACE
North Sea (off Felixstowe) 1974 (QGM) Falklands 1982 (DSO)
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
London Gazette 49134, 8th October 1982, Page 12834 (DSO)
CITATION:
Distinguished Service Order : During Argentine air attacks on 21st May 1982 HMS ARGONAUT was struck by a 1000 Ib bomb which did not explode. The bomb caused extensive damage and lodged between two missiles in the forward magazine where it was also surrounded by damaged and extremely dangerous ordnance.
Lieutenant Commander Dutton, as Officer in Charge of Fleet Clearance Diving Team 1 was tasked to remove the bomb. He decided that it was too dangerous to defuse in situ. Instead he took the decision to lift the bomb from the magazine and hoist it overboard. The task proved extremely complex and hazardous requiring clearance of ammunition from the magazine and cutting through sections of the ship's structure. The operation took the team seven days during which HMS ARGONAUT came under further air attacks. The slightest jar or disturbance to the precise lifting angle would have resulted in an explosion which would almost certainly have caused the loss of the ship.
In spite of these difficulties the bomb was successfully removed, largely due to the skill and ingenuity of Lieutenant Commander Dutton. He displayed staunch determination, steadfastness and courage of the highest order.
Lieutenant Commander Dutton, as Officer in Charge of Fleet Clearance Diving Team 1 was tasked to remove the bomb. He decided that it was too dangerous to defuse in situ. Instead he took the decision to lift the bomb from the magazine and hoist it overboard. The task proved extremely complex and hazardous requiring clearance of ammunition from the magazine and cutting through sections of the ship's structure. The operation took the team seven days during which HMS ARGONAUT came under further air attacks. The slightest jar or disturbance to the precise lifting angle would have resulted in an explosion which would almost certainly have caused the loss of the ship.
In spite of these difficulties the bomb was successfully removed, largely due to the skill and ingenuity of Lieutenant Commander Dutton. He displayed staunch determination, steadfastness and courage of the highest order.
WEB LINKS:
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/49134/supplement/12834 (DSO)
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