This is an original World War II Finnish Medal of Liberty 2nd Class, awarded during the 1941 Continuation War against the Soviet Union. The medal bears the powerful inscription “Urheudesta – För Tapperhet” meaning “For Bravery” in Finnish and Swedish, reflecting Finland’s bilingual heritage and its recognition of valor among all Finnish service members.

Instituted in 1940 by Field Marshal Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim, the Medal of Liberty was part of a broader system of decorations associated with the Finnish Order of the Cross of Liberty. This 2nd Class medal, struck in bronze, was awarded to enlisted men and NCOs for acts of bravery and exceptional military merit on the battlefield.

The 1941-dated version specifically corresponds to the early phase of the Continuation War, which began in June 1941 as Finland re-entered conflict against the Soviet Union in alliance with Germany. Finnish forces sought to reclaim territory lost during the Winter War (1939–1940), including Karelia and parts of Lapland. This campaign was marked by fierce engagements in arctic conditions, determined resistance, and extensive use of small-unit tactics, sniper warfare, and mobile operations suited to Finland’s rugged terrain.

The decoration is backed with a ribbon in the national colors of red and black and features the cross of liberty on its obverse. This example remains in strong condition, showing the crisp detail of the wartime strike. It represents not just individual courage, but also the broader national struggle of Finland to maintain sovereignty and resist overwhelming odds during one of the most bitterly contested theaters of the Eastern Front.

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