Medal of Liberty, 2nd Class (2. Luokan Vapaudenmital

[TJames]

Good afternoon

I have just checked a part of a document and noticed that it had under "Pvk:n n:o" is what looked like a date of "3/4.6.43", is this a date? As Vienonen died on the 20/12/43 and from what I understand this medal was originally awarded for bravery and later awarded for sacrifice. Was this the medal number? Or date?

Thanks

TJames

[Mikko H.]

Hello,

"Pvk:n n:o" is short for Päiväkäskyn numero, meaning "Daily Order number". So I would say the entry means "Daily Order number 3 issued on 4 June 1943". That is the daily order Vienonen's medal was officially announced.

[TJames]

Ah okay thanks! So is it possible Vienonen was awarded this medal for bravery? Due to it being awarded before his death

TJames

[Mikko H.]

Ah okay thanks! So is it possible Vienonen was awarded this medal for bravery? Due to it being awarded before his death

According to the decree of 8 December 1939, Medal of Liberty, 1st and 2nd class, could be awarded to privates and NCOs for "bravery and succesful military operations" (urhoollisuudesta ja onnistuneesti suoritetuista sotilaallisista liikkeistä).

Since 25 June 1941, VM2 could be awarded by commander of a regiment or an independent battalion (or equivalent unit), VM1 and VM2 by commander of a division (or equivalent). In field and military hospitals the chief physician or his deputy could also distribute Medals of Liberty to soldiers, VM2 to privates, VM1 to NCOs. The number of medals a commander or chief physician could award was set at 5% (VM2) and 2% (VM1) of the unit's strength. Awardees' named were published in a Commander-in-Chief's daily order. These regulations were for the field army.

As you probably know, Medal of Liberty, 2nd class, was the lowest decoration of the Order of the Cross of Liberty and therefore quite common. It could also be awarded for civilians, see: http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic. ... 69#p646269. A total of 115,044 VM2's for military merit were awarded 1939-40, 239,622 in 1941-45.

In addition to VM2, a private could be awarded VM1, VR4 (Cross of Liberty, 4th class) and VR3, but the crosses were quite uncommon. And for acts of extraordinary heroism he could of course receive the Mannerheim Cross.

[TJames]

Thanks for that Mikko! This information was very useful! I didn't really have a great understanding of how the Medal of Liberty System worked but now it makes sense, and also to how it relates to Vienonen.

Thanks

TJames