The Winter War 1939-1940 Medal

• Time Period: Second World War – WW2
• Institution: 2 August 1940
• Country: Finland

The Winter War 1939-1940 Medal was established on 2 August 1940 and awarded to soldiers and civilians for serving the Nation’s best interests. In particular, to honour those who had helped to keep Finland’s independence.

The 1939-1940 War Service Medal was created through Number 418 Finnish Code of Regulations 1940 by President Kyösti Kallio and the Minister of Defense Rudolf Walden. The first medals were presented in September of the same year.

The criteria was as follows: The medal was ‘established to commemorate the war of 1939–1940 and the unanimous will to defend it and the deeds done for the benefit of the motherland.’ The medal was generally very liberally granted to those engaged in some form of war work. This could range from those who cooked and baked in canteens to soldiers and young boys and girls who helped pass messages and washed uniforms.

Over 700,000 of all versions of the 1939-1940 War Service Medal were awarded.

The Winter War 1939-1940 Medal Design

The medal was designed by Major Aarno Karimo, who had helped found the Voimaliitto (Power League) in 1906. He was a well-known and respected poet and artist who had spent the Winter War designing propaganda posters.

The medal is made from blackened iron and measures 35 mm wide. The obverse is divided in two: An 18mm diameter circular centerpiece and a 17mm wide border. The centerpiece displays a silhouette of a snow-covered rifleman surrounded by eight provincial coats of arms of Finland. At the bottom is a stylized text reading 1939–1940. The reverse has an embossed conifer wreath around the border and the inscription ‘KUNNIA ISÄNMAA’ meaning ‘Honour Fatherland’.