So this is my great Uncle but I was born and raised in New York. My grandmother (from Imatra) didn’t know much other than he received a very distinguished medal. Can anyone tell what awards he received from this photo? I don’t think it’s the Mannerheim cross but I know it’s still very important.

18 comments

  2. Rank of 3 roses is either Kapteeni or Eversti. Officer nonetheless. Also wearing the officers belt across the chest. No idea about he medal, but also quite big ribbon bar, so definitely received several awards.

  4. Those three markings in his collar would make him either a captain or a colonel. It’s hard to tell the difference, since a colonel just has a bit larger marks. A color photo might give some more info. Like the military branch. Those ribbons above the left breast pocket are also very hard to decipher without colors.

  7. The rank was a Captain, As it has no secondary outline like a Colonel would have.

    The Medal on his chest is rather mysterious. The only one i could really find that matches it even slightly is the [Lapland Cross](https://www.medalbook.com/europe/finland/medals-decorations/lapland-war-commemorative-cross/lapland-war-commemorative-cross-1) Which was awarded in 1940 to Men fighting in Lapland during the Winter war, so without a doubt he endured some tough conditions. (It might be something else but i can’t seem to find anything else of that shape or style.)

  8. If collar patch color is dark blue on yellow, he was member of a dragoon regiment.

    I couldn’t find any other matching colors and details, but my source might have not been complete.

  14. If you know your great uncle’s name (and I think you do), you can try to find him from [Sotasampo](https://www.sotasampo.fi/fi/persons/person_50?tab=1) website.

    There you can find info of individual soldiers, battlefields and military groups of Finnish WWII. Your great uncle might be there, if he was in the war. The website is in finnish, but Google translate will help.

  15. Sure I can. He was a Russian spy sent by aliens to investigate our methods of war almost 100 years ago so today the aliens could invade Finland using weird electric hybrid technology and the internet. His real name is Ixzaba Rljayy’ich.

    Truth be told he isn’t even your Great Uncle. The photo is just a cover story and you are being used to fool the men in black because… Damn, I can’t reveal you anymore unless you send me 200€ via prepaid cards, so I can transfer your UFO inheritance of unquestionable value straight away. It’s just them intergalactic customs tolls ffs.

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