[1] He was first admitted to the Pori Infantry Regiment, but decided to apply when the Finnish Air Force sent out a notice that they would select officer trainees.

In graduated in May 1937 at the top of his military academy class, including army, navy and air force.

Sarvanto was at first sent to Lentoasema 1 (Air Station One) at Utti and later to Lentorykmentti 4 (Flying Regiment 4), which was a bomber squadron.

The remaining one of the Soviet bombers was later caught up and shot down over the Gulf of Finland by another Finnish pilot, lieutenant Per-Erik Sovelius.

Most of the major Western newspapers published a photo of lieutenant Sarvanto holding a large sheet of aluminum with a big "5" on it, a trophy from one of the victims.

One of his granddaughters is married to General Kim Jäämeri, Finland's military representative to the European Union and NATO.