SSgt. Arvo Veikkanen (1919-1999), Knight of the Mannerheim Cross #153.

Served as leader of anti-tank gun squad in 1941-1944 at Ladoga Karelia and Olonets Karelia. The citation for his Mannerheim Cross (2nd class) mentions that in 1941 he decisively effected to capture of enemy gun battery by killing a gun crew with his anti-tank gun, and on June 23, 1944, during Battle of Sammatus at PSS-line, he approached three heavy enemy tanks on open ground with no cover and destroyed one with panzerfaust and one by placing 8 kilogram satchel charge between the turret and engine deck. He destroyed one more tank on July 1, and was wounded during the same day when attempting to approach a group of enemy tanks. The Mannerheim Cross (2nd class) was awarded to him on October 2, 1944. During the war he was also decorated with Cross of Liberty 4th class (with swords), Medal of Liberty 1st & 2nd class, and the Finnish tank destruction badge with one stripe, for those three destroyed tanks.

Staff Sergeant Veikkanen

Olli Aulanko (1921, Helsinki - 1964, Valkeakoski), Knight of the Mannerheim Cross #133.

Aulanko was member of Suojeluskunta (Civil Guard) from 1933, and started his service in Finnish Army in 1940. He served as gunner in 24th Gun Company (anti-tank unit) in 1941 and went to officer school in 1941-42. Before being appointed as platoon leader to the assault gun battalion, he served as forward observer and platoon leader in 13th Light Artillery Battalion in 1942–43.

Lieutenant Aulanko was awarded the Mannerheim Cross (2nd class) on June 26, 1944, for his great leadership in Battle of Kuuterselkä on June 14, where also his assault gun destroyed two heavy tanks and one heavy assault gun. His assault gun was hit and he continued to lead the platoon on foot, and fought until he was wounded to his face and hand. He returned to the front before the end of the war.

Promotions:
Vänrikki (Second Lieutenant) - November 7, 1941
Luutnantti (First Lieutenant) - December 21, 1943
Yliluutnantti (Senior Lieutenant) - July 20, 1953

1Lt. Olli Aulanko

Gregorius Ekholm (1921,Stockholm - 1985,Helsinki), Knight of the Mannerheim Cross #139.

Gregorius participated in the Winter War as volunteer combat messenger in his uncle's company in 68th Infantry Regiment (JR 68) at Karelian Isthmus. He fought in the same area in Continuation war, first as battalion communications officer then as platoon leader and later as company commander in 3rd Brigade. The citation for his Mannerheim Cross mentions that in one battle he captured anti-tank gun and inflicted heavy casualties to enemy with the gun and his submachinegun, and that he once went alone to enemy side of a river in middle of the day and cut enemy communications, burned a building and mined positions used by enemy forces. He later led a patrol into enemy positions and used satchel charges to destroy enemy commander's dugout and group of other dugouts, killing the men inside of them. On June 21, 1944 Lieutenant Ekholm destroyed 3 heavy tanks out of 8 tanks that had stopped infront of their positions, and the following day he "burned" 4 heavy tanks, and captured an officer and NCO from them. He was wounded on July 1, 1944, and was awarded the Mannerheim Cross (2nd class) eight days later. Duting the war he was also decorated with Cross of Liberty 3rd class with Swords, Cross of Liberty 4th class with Oak Leafs and Swords, Medal of Liberty 1st class, Irond Cross 2nd class and the Finnish tank destruction badge with two stripes.

Promotions:
Vänrikki (Second Lieutenant) - May 10, 1941 (after completing his reserve officer training)
Luutnantti (First Lieutenant) - July 8, 1943
Yliluutnantti (Senior Lieutenant) - November 27, 1956
Kapteeni (Captain) - June 4, 1964
Majuri (Major) December 6, 1975