Funeral ceremony being held for unidentified Finnish soldier whose remains were found from the field.

Funerals for unknown soldier

Aaro Olavi Pajari(1897–1949) was Finnish Major General and Knight of the Mannerheim Cross #12.

Pajari started his military career by joining the Civil Guard in 1917 and fought in the Finnish Civil War of 1918. He remained in military career and by late 1930's had reached the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

When the Winter War started on November 30, 1939, Aaro Pajari was commander of the Infantry Regiment 16(JR 16). His regiment was made part of "Group Talvela" which was sent to repel the threat on the north side of lake Ladoga. Pajari commanded his regiment in the Battle of Tolvajärvi, where Finnish troops made a successful counter-attack against the Soviet 139th and 75th Divisions. The Battle was first major Finnish victory in the war and was a huge moral boost for all Finnish troops. On December 18, 1939 Pajari was promoted as Colonel and later as the group's commander Col. Talvela was promoted and sent to Karelian Isthmus, Pajari was given the command of the whole group.

When Continuation War started Colonel Pajari commanded the 18th Division, which made the breakthrough on the Karelian Isthmus in August 1941. He was awarded the Mannerheim Cross on September 14, and he became the 12th Knight of the Mannerheim Cross. Aaro Pajari was promoted as Major General on October 3, 1941. 

In 1942 he led the recapture of strategically important Suursaari island, located in the Bay of Finland. On October 21, 1943 Pajari was moved as the commander of 3rd Division, which he commanded through the heavy defense battles of 1944 and then later in Lapland War Pajari led the division in the daring landing of Tornio and the battles for the city. For these actions he was awarded the Mannerheim Cross for the 2nd time.

Colonel Pajari during the Winter War

Captain Eero Kivelä (1908-1992), Knight of the Mannerheim Cross No.9.

In civilian life reserve lieutenant Kivelä worked as store-keeper and youth worker before the wars. During the Winter War he served as company commander in 16th Infantry Regiment (JR 16) at Tolvajärvi in Ladoga Karelia, and was wounded once in december. In Continuation War he served in different units at Karelian Isthmus (JR 27, JR 48, JR 47, Estonian JR 200, ErP 25), first as company commander and later as battalion commander. He was awarded the Mannerheim Cross (2nd class) on September 8, 1941, for showing great personal courage under fire, and for repelling enemy attack with counter-attack, during which he destroyed nine tanks with his men. During the wars he received Cross of Liberty 3rd class twice (second with Oak Leaves), and Cross of Liberty 4th class. After the war Kivelä worked for textile manufacturing company Finlayson, and was parliamentarian of Kokoomus (National Coalition Party) in 1945-48. He was under arrest for 5 months in 1945, for his suspected participation in the "Weapons Cache Case", but was then released to be able to start his work as parliamentarian. He had a wife (died 1976) and three sons (born 1934, 1940 & 1946).

Promotions:
Vänrikki (Second Lieutenant) - December 1, 1930
Luutnantti (First Lieutenant) - May 16, 1938
Kapteeni (Captain) - July 31, 1940
Majuri (Major) - March 26, 1943
Everstiluutnantti (Lieutenant Colonel) - June 4, 1967