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Kaiho Tuomas Albin Gerdt (born 28 May 1922 in Heinävesi, Finland) is a Knight of the Mannerheim Cross, numbered #95.〔Hurmerinta, Viitanen 2004, p. 73.〕 Gerdt, serving as a junior runner officer in the infantry regiment 7, was awarded the Mannerheim Cross on 8 September 1942. At that time he held the rank of a Sergeant. After coming home from the war on 13 November 1944, Gerdt worked as a manager in Oy Wilh. Schauman Ab and as an office manager in Oy Kaukas Ab and Kymmene Oy.〔Hurmerinta 2008, p. 62.〕 Gerdt, serving as the chairman of the Mannerheim Cross Knight Foundation, is the last living Knight of the Mannerheim Cross.〔(Heikki Nykänen on kuollut - Vain yksi Mannerheim-ristin ritari jäljellä ) Aamulehti 7 December 2011. Accessed on 15 December 2011.〕 ==Military career== When the attack phase of the Continuation War started, Gerdt was serving as the runner of the chief of the machine gun unit. Gerdt had to maintain contact with the chief of his company in severe artillery fire during the Pääsiäisvaara battle on 1 July 1941. He was wounded in the head on the same day, but returned to his unit as a junior envoy officer in August. During the Mensuvaara battles in August 1941, Gerdt had to maintain contact with the chief of the machine gun unit and the chief of the rifle company in severe conditions and repeatedly had to act independently. Gerdt's exemplary action allowed the rifle company to proceed across a plain that was being heavily bombarded by the enemy. When the enemy made a surprise attack, Gerdt voluntarily went to seek help from the artillery. During the trip, Gerdt was forced to cross a difficult spot of terrain, which was under enemy fire from 10 machine guns, over 10 light machine guns and a submachine gun, while at the same time being bombarded by heavy grenade launchers. With this action, Gerdt saved his company from heavy losses. During the Sevastopol base battles in July 1942, Gerdt served as the runner of the chief of the 12th company of the infantry regiment 7, but also voluntarily participated in the counter-attack. Armed with a submachine gun, he opened a route at the front of the attack, killing several enemies. Gerdt again proceeded at the front when the platoon received a new direction of action. His actions influenced the conquest of the tip of the base. During the battle, Gerdt also took five prisoners. Gerdt participated in reclaiming the Sevastopol base from the enemy. During the third conflict on 21 July, Gerdt found his superior officer, Captain Caj Toffer, lying severely wounded on a spot of terrain that had been bombarded with grenades. Gerdt carried the mortally wounded Toffer to safety, ignoring the severe and continuous artillery fire. Finnish Commander-in-Chief Mannerheim appointed Gerdt as one of his knights on the same day. Gerdt returned to battle, but was wounded in the face by a bullet the size of a fingertip. In military hospital, Gerdt received news that he had been promoted to Sergeant and awarded the Mannerheim Cross. Gerdt was sent to Reserve Officer School in Niinisalo after lying in hospital for four months. Gerdt participated in heavy battles in Siiranmäki in June 1944, where he was wounded for a third time. Before being wounded, Gerdt, now having the rank of a Second Lieutenant, commanded a stub-sized platoon, which made successful counter-attacks to drive off the enemy. Gerdt became well in hospital and could return to his regiment after the Äyräpää-Vuosalmi battles. He was sent home on 13 November 1944. A proposal to award Gerdt the Mannerheim Cross, signed by the chief of the Kannas Group, Lieutenant General Harald Öhquist on 24 July 1942, was sent to the military headquarters as a Creed message. A written proposal, signed by the chief of the 2nd Division, Major General Armas-Eino Martola and confirmed by the chief of the division staff, Lieutenant Colonel Adolf Ehrnrooth, was registered at the military headquarters on 27 July 1942. During the presentation given by the chief of staff, Öhquist's proposal to award Gerdt the Mannerheim Cross was supported. Commander-in-Chief Mannerheim awarded Gerdt the Mannerheim Cross, appointing him as Knight of the Mannerheim Cross #95, on 8 September 1942. During the Continuation War, Gerdt was promoted from Junior Sergeant to Second Lieutenant. He was finally promoted to Captain in 1968, serving in the reserve.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Tuomas Gerdt」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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