This week, simple and to the point.
Longtime San Diegan Lt. John Finn, who was the first man to receive a Medal of Honor in World War II, has died.His citation,
Finn passed away before 6 a.m. Thursday in San Diego, where he'd been living for more than 50 years.
"We lost a national treasure and a national hero today," said Capt. David Lepard with the U.S. Navy. "It's really touching his death occurred on Memorial Day Weekend and he'll never be forgotten."
Finn was not only the first but also for many years the oldest Medal of Honor recipient from WWII.
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Finn will be buried on the Campo Indian Reservation, where his wife is buried, with full military honors. Funeral plans will likely be released sometime next week.
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, Kanoehe Bay, on 7 December 1941, Lieutenant Finn promptly secured and manned a 50-caliber machine gun mounted on an instruction stand in a completely exposed section of the parking ramp, which was under heavy enemy machine-gun 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 United States Naval Service.Fullbore.
26 comments:
IYAOYAS!
More than a few suggestions on other sites that a certain forthcoming amphib should be renamed from a less respected, deceased Representative to the alternative - USS Finn.
If we Salty Gators got to make that call, it would be done. Talk to SECNAV about that...
Sad.....we were saying the same thing yesterday as soon as we got the news.
OK, here's a Medal of Honor protocol question. John Finn was clearly a Chief in the photo (and during the action for which his Medal was awarded), yet his citation refers to him as a Lieutenant. Are the citations updated to reflect the current or highest rank held by the recipient?
Not sure if that is an anomally or what. Citations should not be changed unless additional information comes to light about the specific action being documented. A change in rank that occurs years later should not be cause to modify the citation.
Fullbore indeed. Injured and staying in the fight. What an example to his men. We should all hope we would be able to follow his example if ever needed.
What a full life. Rest in peace and thanks for your service, Chief.
<span>Go with God Shipmate. Fair Winds</span>
May he rest in the peace he fought so bravely to ensure for us.
Talk about someone to look up to. The only Ordnanceman to earn the CMOH. We were taught early and often about Lt. Finn's example of hard work and sacrifice in those long, hot, steamy, NAS Memphis, summer days of 1985.
He's given several interviews over the years, the latests of which I can not find. Though if memory serves, was in the San Diego paper. Today, my Google-Foo is weak...
It is rarely mentioned that IJN lost about 10% of total PH air raid strength, mainly to efective AAA. While not many mention it, it was one of the reasons Nagumo forfeited third wave, reasoning further damage is not worth casualties (another was the US carriers were noit present and Nagumo wasn't sure if they won't catch his fleet). USN was caught by surprise, but not completely unprepared.
Another giant has fallen. Fullbore! Instead of diversity training, young sailors and officers should be taught the story of Lt. Flinn, that he stood his ground not because he was brave, not for the glory for sure, but because he HAD to...it was his duty. I'd rather see this kind of devotion to duty be taught to sailors that whatever kind of feel good pablum comes out of the five sided wind tunnel on the Potomac.
Point of Order AO3, it is the Medal of Honor. MOH. NOT the Congressional Medal of Honor... confusing sometimes. you cannot use "Honor" and "Congress" in the same sentence anymore....
"...When duty whispers low,'Thou must,'
The youth replies, 'I can.'"
MOH takes so long to award that, particularly in wartime, ranks can change. My guess is that it reflects his rank at the time of award, which seems proper, as an award citation is a communication to an individual sailor (and the public, etc) regarding their accomplishments, not a time capsule. Finn was made an LDO very quickly after PH, and then a LT.
I stand humbly corrected.
Sorry for the multiple posts. But for y'all on Facebook... I.Y.A.O.Y.A.S
He was a hero and did his duty. Salutes to him and may he win many battles in the next life.
Ken, My experience has been that there's usually a statement in the citation that indicates the individual's rank at the time of the action. In this case it would have read something like "Lt Finn (then Chief Petty Officer Finn)". Not sure why this wasn't the case here.
According to the NYT article, LT Finn was awarded the MOH in September '42, which doesn't seem like that great a time delay all things considered.
CDR S, When I read about LT Finn's death in the NYT I wondered if you'd post about him today. As usual you didn't disappoint.
Will never forget the day in 1991 I had an appointment with a LT Michael Thornton at his office at NAB Little Creek. I walked in and as we all do, checked his ribbons only to spot that piece of blue cloth with stars! As I stumbled over my greetings and honor to meet him, he dismissed my accolades with a wave of his hand and said, "Just a matter of timing. Any sailor would have done what I did." Truly Natuional Treasures!
Great story!
HOOYAH! Fullbore.
God Speed Shipmate. Perhaps now the award will be considred for living hero's of the current conflicts.
Gotta look out for my fellow Ammo/Ordnance troop...IYAAYAS and IYAOYAS!
If you did not see the New York Times, you missed the whole story. That wife! Back then, the would have called her, "a looker."
Mike Thornton is a bear of a man. Enough chest for two men. A few years ago he was on our ship and someone asked if he always kept his MoH with him and he said yeah it's down in my car. He gave me his keys and said go get it. Coming back up the brow I was clutching the case with a death grip.
Thornton is the only MoH recipient recognized for saving the life of another MoH recipient, a fellow SEAL (later an FBI agent) named Norris.
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