Solemly we announce the passing of Simo “Simuna” Häyhä, who passed away out of natural causes at the age of 96 on April 1, 2002. Simo was born on December 17, 1905 in the municipality of Rautjärvi, Finland. Simo was a legendary soldier who served in the 6th Company of the JR 34 regiment during the Winter War of 1939-1940. His incredible skills as a sniper earned him the nickname “White Death” and he is widely credited with killing more than 500 enemy soldiers during his active service in the war. After the war, Simo worked as a farmer and spent his retirement peacefully in Rautjarvi. Of his many honors, Simo was recognized as a Hero of Finland in 1999. Simo Häyhä’s memory will remain in the hearts of those who knew him and in the minds of the many who read stories about his accomplishments. He rests in the family grave in Rautjärvi.