Finnish Forces

Lance Corporal

http://www.mannerheim-ristinritarit.fi/ritarit?xmid=187

Ville Väisänen (1918-1944) Knight of the Mannerheim Cross No.145. Lance Corporal Väisänen served as anti-tank rifleman in 1st Company, 2nd Border Jaeger Battalion (1./RjP 2), and fought on Karelian Isthmus in 1941-1944. He destroyed atleast one tank with the anti-tank rifle and used it effectively also against enemy anti-tank guns and firing positions. On June 28, 1944, during third day of the Battle of Tali-Ihantala, Väisänen destroyed 8 enemy tanks using panzerfausts at village of Tali. He went missing in action later that day, and the Mannerheim Cross (2nd class) was awarded to him as posthumous award on July 12, 1944. He also received 2nd class Medal of Liberty earlier in the war. The picture is not of very high quality but it's the only known picture of this man.