During the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 Arkhipov was serving as Chief of Staff on the Russian submarine B-59. It was a Foxtrot Class diesel electric submarine. The sub had been sent by Russia, to the Caribbean, and along with 3 others, all armed with one nuclear torpedo.

US Navy ships operating nearby, knew the sub was there, but wanted to force it to surface. Their intention was to identify the sub, not sink it. Signalling depth charges were dropped, with the intention of forcing the sub to the surface.

The crew of B-59 had no way of communicating with Moscow and had lost contact with other Russian ships and subs. To them, it looked very much like the stand off in Cuba had gone hot and the Americans were trying to sink them.

Captain Valentin Grigoryevich Savitsky ordered the crew to launch the nuclear torpedo at the Americans. Normally launch authority required only the Captain and the political officer. However, Arkhipov was also the Chief of Staff for the Brigade and was also required to authorise the launch in that circumstance. Arkhipov’s reputation from the K-19 incident also carried some weight in the discussion.

In the end Arkhipov refused to authorise the launch. Then calmed the Captain down and persuaded him to surface and await further orders from Moscow.