Between the split second the missile landed in the boat and exploded, Seaman Ouellet placed himself between the missile and his shipmates and absorbed the impact of the blast. As a result, Seaman Ouellet was mortally wounded.
While the missile struck the boat and exploded almost instantly, Seaman Ouellet positioned himself between the missile and his crewmates to take the blast's force. As a consequence, Seaman Ouellet sustained fatal injuries.