May 30th, 2010
Medal of Honor Citation:
CPO John Finn USN
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.
LT Finn passed away on 27 May 2010, he was 100 years old. He was, and will continue to be, a great inspiration to the Sailors of our Navy. There is a petition, (HERE), I hope you will sign to voice your opinion, along with many, many others, that this great Sailor have a ship named in his honor.
I hope that someday, all Navy Medal of Honor winners will have this honor bestowed upon them – their names should be used before any politician.
(h/t Maggie)
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Had you asked John, he would and did tell many a person that there are no Medal of Honor “winners” . You don’t win the Medal, you are awarded the Medal.
I would that people remember the surviving 90 recipients while they are alive and not wait till the obit is published to honor and remember their valor.