Finnish American Legion

Finnish American Legion
Amerikan Suomalainen Legioona
Badge
Active	9 December 1939 – 27 June 1940
Allegiance	Finland
Type	Foreign volunteer
Size	378 men
Engagements	Winter War
Commanders
Notable commanders	Captain Albert Penttilä  [ fi ]

The Finnish American Legion (Finnish: Amerikan Suomalainen Legioona) was a foreign volunteer unit that volunteered to fight for Finland during the Winter War. It included volunteers from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands.

History

On 9 December 1939, 54 men and five women traveled from New York to Finland as volunteers for the Winter War. ^[1] They arrived in Tornio on 24 December 1939. ^[2] The volunteers were under the command of Lieutenant Albert Penttilä  [ fi ], who would later be promoted to the rank of Captain. During the war, 250 volunteers from Canada also joined them. ^[3]

On 22 February 1940, the unit was officially designated as the "Finnish American Legion". ^[4]

References

1. "Muukalaislegioona, Meksiko, USA – kuolleeksi julistetun jääkärin värikäs tie talvisotaan". Paivanlehti (in Finnish). 5 February 2017. Retrieved 25 November 2025.
2. Talvisodan historia osa 4.
3. "History of Finland-Canada Relations". 2012. Retrieved 10 June 2025.
4. Kansallisarkisto SPK 3312. Simo, Tauno 1944. Amerikan Suomalaisen Legioonan historiikki (digitoitu asiakirja).