The Man Who Saved The World

Life as we know it was almost wiped out. If not for one man, we might not be here today. Almost all of us owe our lives to Vasili Arkhipov. He was a Soviet navy officer on a submarine. His decision may have prevented a nuclear World War Three.

In 1962, during the Cold War, tensions ran high. America and the Soviet Union each had enough weapons to destroy the world. In October 1962, the Cuban Missile Crisis escalated. The Soviet leader, Nikita Khrushchev, agreed to place missiles in Cuba. This was in response to American missiles in Italy and Turkey aimed at Moscow.

Cuba wanted protection after the Bay of Pigs invasion, where Cuban exiles, supported by the U.S. government, tried to overthrow Fidel Castro. American planes discovered the Soviet missile bases. President Kennedy ordered a blockade, preventing any sea traffic to Cuba.

On October 27, American forces spotted a Soviet submarine in the Caribbean. The B-59 was on a secret mission, along with three other subs. To get the sub to surface, Americans dropped depth charges, which were non-lethal but alarming. The crew interpreted this as an attack. They hadn’t heard from Moscow for days and couldn't pick up any radio traffic.

What they didn’t know was that the submarine was armed with a nuclear torpedo. The captain, Valentin Savitsky, believed destruction was imminent. In a moment of panic, he declared, "We're gonna blast them now!" He ordered the nuclear weapon to be assembled. This torpedo had the same power as the Hiroshima bomb.

Moscow had even authorized its use. If launched, it could have triggered a catastrophic chain reaction leading to nuclear war. Thankfully, Vasili Arkhipov was there. At 34, he was a humble and soft-spoken man. As the flotilla commander, he held significant responsibility.

For Savitsky’s order to launch the torpedo, he needed approval from two others: Arkhipov and his deputy. Maslennikov agreed, but Arkhipov said no. He refused to allow the strike. Arkhipov tried to calm Savitsky. He kept a cool head, even as temperatures soared inside the sub to 122 degrees Fahrenheit.

He reasoned with the captain, explaining that the depth charges were warning shots, not an attack. Meanwhile, Kennedy feared the Soviets might misinterpret the situation. Robert Kennedy later revealed how stressed his brother was during those critical minutes.

In the end, the torpedo was not launched. Savitsky decided to surface the submarine. The Americans had no clue a nuclear weapon was on board. They only learned about it 40 years later, during a reunion of former enemies.

Robert McNamara, Kennedy’s Secretary of Defense, recognized the importance of Arkhipov’s actions. His daughter described her father as someone who understood the dangers of radiation. Arkhipov had been exposed to radiation during a nuclear submarine accident in 1961.

After the crisis, he continued serving in the Russian navy and was promoted to vice admiral. Sadly, he died from kidney cancer, likely due to radiation exposure, in 1998 at 72 years old. So, as you look at the world in all its beauty, remember this brave naval officer. His calmness during chaos helped save us all.

Conclusion:

Vasili Arkhipov's calm and rational decision-making in the face of unimaginable pressure serves as a testament to the power of individual action. Amidst the chaos and fear during the Cuban Missile Crisis, Arkhipov's refusal to launch a nuclear torpedo not only averted a potential World War Three but also safeguarded the future of humanity. His story is a poignant reminder of the impact that one person's courage and presence of mind can have on the course of history. As we reflect on the beauty and complexity of our world, let us honor Arkhipov's legacy and recognize the profound difference that thoughtful and brave individuals can make in shaping a better future for all.

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