Remember last week's Fullbore Friday?Well, we all know the narcisistic politicization nightmare of ship naming we have seen over the last few decades, from STENNIS to MURTHA - how would this be for a palate cleanser?
What would you think about the USS FINN?
To: U.S. CongressIf you want to add your name to the list, click here.
Whereas that Lt John William Finn proudly gave 21 years of distinguished service in the United States Navy.
Whereas that Lt John William Finn was the last living recipient from the attack on Pearl Harbor to receive a Medal of Honor.
The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to FINN, JOHN WILLIAM
Rank and organization: Lieutenant, U.S. Navy. Place and date: Naval Air Station, Kaneohe Bay, Territory of Hawaii, 7 December 1941. Entered service at: California. Born: 24 July 1909, Los Angeles, Calif.
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.
Whereas that Lt. John William Finn was the only Aviation Ordnanceman to receive the Medal of Honor in the history of the Navy.
Whereas Lt. John William Finn was an inspiration to the sailors in the Aviation Ordnance field; sailors whose jobs, while significant to projecting air power, is decidedly unglamorous.
Be It Resolved:
That the next naval vessel should bear the name USS John William Finn in recognition and honor of his selfless devotion to duty and the preservation of freedom.
We The Undersigned:
Call upon the Congress of the United States to draft a resolution supporting the naming of a United States Navy Ship the USS John William Finn.
Call upon the Secretary of the Navy to support this petition of the tax-paying people of these United States of America and name the next naval vessel to be constructed the USS John William Finn.
Sincerely,
The Undersigned
Being that I cannot find another USS FINN out there - I would think that would be the better name - short and to the point - than the full name. We can argue about he color of the kitchen counter later, let's get that house built first.
11 comments:
There is a "Boat" named after him.
http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=47949
Should have been an aircraft carrier.
A better link to my previous post.
http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=44154
I was going to comment on keeping the names short. Nothing like seeing OS's get into a tift about not answering the radio because Lincoln or Stennis or Williams is not the name of their ship.
But after reading those two articles, the best we can do for a MOH winner is a ferry boat? Lame. Actually, one probably could use the term, "Epic Fail," and be correct.
The ship needs to be either a DDG or an AOE. An AOE would be more appropriate, given the Lt.s rate as a Chief.
Hell of a lot better then a tub named the "Murtha."
I think MoH's have been getting MPS's named after them. http://www.msc.navy.mil/mpsone/
Seconding this. While I'm all for getting anything named after him, a bomb hauling ship seems most appropriate given his service as a Chief.
I voted on this yesterday. It's a grand idea and one better suited to our Navy than, say, a Carter, Murtha or Stennis.
The proclamation seems to be in error. It states Lieutenant Finn served 21 years. My understanding is he enlisted in 1926 and retired in 1956 which would equal 30 years.
Regardless, fully support the idea of recognizing a great man in this manner.
I throw up in my mouth when I think of a U.S. Navy warship named after Murtha.
I signed.
The next DDG should be honored with Lt. Finn's name. Given, however, the current bizarro world of assignment of names to ships, it would not be out of order for SecNav to withdraw Murtha's name and substitute USS John William Finn for LPD 26.
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