Sir Philip Vian Royal Navy
Distinguished Service Order and Two Bars
Atlantic Ocean 1940–41
British Admiral of the Fleet Sir Philip Louis Vian was one of history’s great fighting commanders. During World War II he was thrice awarded the Distinguished Service Order, the Royal Navy’s equivalent of the U.S. Navy Cross. A 1911 graduate of the Royal Naval College, Vian served primarily on during the 1916 Battle of Jutland, though his ship was not actively involved in the fight.
