Urho Lehtovaara Biography, Age, Height, Wife, Net Worth and Family

Lehtovaara would eventually fly over 400 missions, scoring 44½ victories. He retired from the Finnish Air Force in 1946 and started to run his own cinema at Suomusjärvi near Salo.

During the Continuation War, he intercepted three DB-3’s on 3 July 1941 near Ilomantsi, and shot down two and damaged the third. On 9 July, he shot down two more SB-2’s and a MiG-1. LeLv 28 was transferred to Eastern Karelia in late 1941. During 1942, there were few encounters with Soviet aircraft, and Lehtovaara claimed one victory during the year (a DB-3). He flew numerous “train-busting” attacks on the Soviet supply trains using the Murmansk railway. Sergeant Major Lehtovaara was transferred to the newly formed LeLv 34 in April 1943, flying the Messerschmitt Bf 109G-2. On 26 April 1944 he was promoted to the rank of air master sergeant -the highest NCO rank. He was awarded the Mannerheim Cross on 9 July 1944.

LeLv 26 re-equipped with the Morane-Saulnier MS-406 fighter in late January 1940 and a new squadron, LeLv 28 was created. Sgt. Lehtovaara transferred to the new unit, based on Lake Pyhäjärvi near Turku. On 2 March 1940, Lehtovaara intercepted and shot down an SB-2 bomber, his first victory and his only claim during the Winter War. He was promoted to sergeant on 23 March.

Resident in Salo by 1934, Lehtovaara became a member of the local aero club. Lehtovaara volunteered for military service with the Air Force in 1937. He remained in service as a non-commissioned officer (NCO) with LeLv 26, flying Bristol Bulldog biplanes.

Urho Sakari Lehtovaara (27 October 1917, Pyhäjärvi, northern Finland – 15 January 1949) was one of the top scoring Finnish Air Force aces. He was awarded the Mannerheim Cross on 9 July 1944.