Erkki Valtonen grew up in the municipality of Puumala in the Southern Savonia region.

During late December 1939, elements of Infantry Regiment 36 managed to cut the supply line of the 56th Rifle Corps at Lavajärvi. To keep the supply line closed, 13th and 12th Divisions supplied fresh troops to combat the efforts of the Soviets in breaking the blockade. During an assault on the 30th December, Gunner Erkki Valtonen fell to enemy fire.

Sources

http://kronos.narc.fi/menehtyneet/index.php?id=504779&raportti=1