Aaro Pajari

Aaro Pajari
Aaro Pajari
Born(1897-07-17)17 July 1897
Asikkala, Grand Duchy of Finland, Russian Empire
Died14 October 1949(1949-10-14) (aged 52)
Kokkola, Finland
Buried
Allegiance Finland
Service / branchFinnish Army
Years of service1917–1949
RankMajor General
Battles / wars
AwardsMannerheim Cross of Liberty (Twice)

Aaro Olavi Pajari (17 July 1897 – 14 October 1949) was a Major General in the Finnish Army. During World War II, he became one of the four double recipients of the Mannerheim Cross 2nd Class.

Colonel Pajari in front of Tolvajärvi's headquarters. SA-kuvat

His greatest achievement was the Finnish victory at the Battle of Tolvajärvi in the Winter War, where his small Finnish force smashed a far larger Soviet army. Pajari went on to serve throughout the Winter, Continuation, and Lapland wars, becoming famous for his success in leading small unit, and guerrilla style operations.