FINN, JOHN WILLIAM
Lt. Finn went to bed on December 6, 1941 stationed in Hawaii. He woke up on the date that would live in infamy and began to fight the Empire of Japan with a .50 Cal machinegun. Mr. Finn is 101 years old now. To honor his bravery please take a moment to read the citation of a hero.
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Rank: Lieutenant
Organization: U.S. Navy
Born: 23 July 1909, Los Angeles, Calif.
Departed: No
Entered Service At: California
Place / Date: Naval Air Station, Kaneohe Bay, Territory of Hawaii, 7 December 1941
Citation:
For extraordinary heroism distinguished service, and devotion above and beyond the call of duty. During the first attack by Japanese airplanes on the Naval Air Station, Kaneohe Bay, on 7 December 1941, Lt. Finn promptly secured and manned a .50-caliber machinegun mounted on an instruction stand in a completely exposed section of the parking ramp, which was under heavy enemy machinegun strafing fire. Although painfully wounded many times, he continued to man this gun and to return the enemy's fire vigorously and with telling effect throughout the enemy strafing and bombing attacks and with complete disregard for his own personal safety. It was only by specific orders that he was persuaded to leave his post to seek medical attention. Following first aid treatment, although obviously suffering much pain and moving with great difficulty, he returned to the squadron area and actively supervised the rearming of returning planes. His extraordinary heroism and conduct in this action were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
Thanks to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society for this citation. Visit www.cmohs.org.
