Urho Lehtovaara
Urho Lehtovaara | |
|---|---|
Urho Lehtovaara | |
| Nickname | "Pikku-Jätti" (Little Giant) |
| Born | 27 October 1917 |
| Died | 5 January 1949 (aged 31) |
| Cause of death | Suicide by gunshot |
| Allegiance | Finland |
| Branch | Finnish Air Force |
| Service years | 1937–1946 |
| Rank | Warrant Officer |
| Unit | LeLv 26, LeLv 28, LeLv 34 |
| Conflicts | |
| Awards | Mannerheim Cross |
| Other work | Cinema owner |
Urho Sakari Lehtovaara (27 October 1917 – 15 January 1949) was one of the top scoring Finnish Air Force aces. He was awarded the Mannerheim Cross on 9 July 1944.
In 1949, Lehtovaara killed himself while being interrogated for his suspected involvement in the Weapons Cache Case, a right-wing conspiracy after the ceasefire to stash weapons across the country and form a stay-behind guerrilla army in preparation for a potential Soviet invasion.