Viljo Laakso inspecting shot down soviet bomber with two young officers. The pilot of the aircraft survived.

Shot down bomber

Janhunen was born in Porvoo in 1900 to a poor working class family. He joined the red guard in 1917,fought in the Finnish Civil War 1918, eventually surrendering to the white troops in the great battle of Tampere.He was sentenced for 3 years to the penitentiary, but because of his father's connections, he got a job and was released and put on probation.
He learned the trade of a tailor, married in 1930's and moved to Rovaniemi, and joined the Civil Guard organization.
Janhunen volunteered to fight in the Winter War, to defend his homeland, but he was still doubted because of his background, and wasn't accepted to the front. After Winter War, it was noticed how whole Finland had stood brave and united against a common enemy, and nobody should be disdained.
In 1940 Janhunen was called to do his consript military service, which he hadn't got to do yet. during it he was promoted to corporal. And so he went to Continuation War with the training of only 4 months, and the experience he had from the Civil War.
From the beginning Janhunen proved to be a top soldier, who participated in many brave and heroic acts.

”On November 27, 1941 The supreme commander has appointed Cpl. Arvid Mikael Janhunen as 2nd Class Knight of the Mannerheim Cross.

 At Suokumaa, Corporal Janhunen participated in several brave and profitable patrols to the enemy side, as agile and fearless submachinegunner. In Kähärilä on August 26, 1941, he used a captured light machinegun to destroy a roughly 20 man enemy unit that was following a tank, advancing just few meters away from him. Which made it possible for him and his squad to destroy the tank.
 The following day, after a machinegun crew had been lost, he went there and came back with the machinegun ignoring the intense direct firing by the enemy. September 18, 1941, Corporal Janhunen killed 40-50 enemies in Villavaara, that way effecting the repelling of a threatening enemy attack. He also captured enemy car on the road, taking many prisoners. On September 28, 1941 in Kuismala, Corporal Janhunen volunteered to lead a patrol which purpose was to get to contact with the enemy. And when they faced a heavily fortified enemy unit armed with automatic rifles, he attacked to their positions alone armed with handgrenades and pistol, captured the positions taking 18 prisoners and killing the rest. At the same day, when his company's advance halted at the edge of Kuismala's village clearing, he asked and was permitted to command a platoon temperarely, and he used it to take over the village, important to coming operations. On September 30, 1941 he left as the first man to "lead" the company's attack and that way effected to the taking of village of Viitana.”  *Translated from original commendation*

On November 26, 1941 Janhunen was mortally wounded when attacking towards Karhunmäki. After repelling an intense enemy attack, Janhunen crouched down near a soviet officer he thought dead, but the officer suddenly opened his eyes and shot him in the stomach with pistol.

Janhunen was taken to the 25th field hospital located at Juustjärvi. The doctors performed surgery on him but he died afterwards.
The next day Janhunen was awarded with the mannerheim cross and he became the Knight of the Mannerheim Cross n:o 43 and at the was at same time the first of the knights that died.

The 4th division commander had already stated on November 6, 1941, that he should be awarded with the mannerheim cross.

Arvid Janhunen

Viljo Laakso at grave yard of German soldiers. Loimola, August 1944.