Finnish Forces

Submachinegunner Pasanen (Knight #14)

Emil Pasanen (1910-1981) Knight of the Mannerheim Cross #14. Submachine gunner, 5./JR 50 During battle of Suvilahti on Aug 21, 1941, killed dozens of enemies as they ran out of buildings, driven out by anti-tank gun, and in battle of Jessoila on Aug 27, 1941, captured important bridgehead hill with his comrade and held it even after his comrade was killed and until help arrived. During enemy breakthrough attempts in battle of Prääsä on Sep 8, 1941, he defended temporary positions alone when his comrades around him were dead or wounded, and repelled attack of about 200 men, killing estimately 120 of them from his foxhole with Suomi SMG. Pasanen was wounded on Sep 22, 1941 at Matrossa and received the Mannerheim Cross 4 days later. Afterwards he served mostly only in homefront duties until the end of the war. He was farmer and lumberjack by civil prefession.