Finnish Forces

Mannerheim awarding a border jaeger

Mannerheim awarding Leo Kojo with Mannerheim Cross (2nd class), making him the 82nd Knight of the Mannerheim Cross. August 23, 1942. Leo Kojo (1917-2006) served in Winter War as squad leader in Cavalry Brigade's communications center and during the Continuation War he was first a platoon second-in-command and later platoon leader in 4th Border Jaeger Battalion (RjP 4). According to the citation for his Mannerheim Cross, during a single battle at Gora he destroyed 25 wooden bunkers and dug-outs with satchel charges, and after enemy made a counter-attack he was encircled alone but defended himself with captured submachinegun and semi-automatic rifle, killing around 30 enemy soldiers before help arrived and the enemy was pushed back.