Winter

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

1Lt. Gregorius Ekholm

Finnish soldiers with Soviet POW at Svir river. Winter 1941-1942.