John William Finn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John William Finn
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John William Finn wearing his Medal of Honor
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| Born | 23 July 1909 Los Angeles, California |
| Died | 27 May 2010 (aged 100) Chula Vista, California |
| Place of burial |
Saint Carmel Cemetery, Campo Indian Reservation
(32°39′03″N 116°21′54″W / 32.650866°N 116.365063°W) |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service/ |
United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1926–1956 |
| Rank | Lieutenant |
| Battles/wars | World War II • Attack on Pearl Harbor |
| Awards | Medal of Honor Purple Heart |
John William Finn (23 July 1909 – 27 May 2010) was an American sailor in the United States Navy. He served as a chief petty officer. He received the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions during the attack on Pearl Harbor in World War II. Finn was the oldest living Medal of Honor recipient in the United States and the last living of the Pearl Harbor recipients.
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Early life
Finn was born on 23 July 1909 in Compton, California. Finn dropped out of school after the seventh grade. He then attended General Aviation Utilities Training at Naval Station Great Lakes. In 1939, Finn married his wife Alice Finn.
Pearl harbor and after
As a chief aviation ordnanceman stationed at Naval Air Station Kaneohe Bay, he earned the medal by manning a machine gun from an exposed position throughout the attack, despite being repeatedly wounded. He continued to serve in the Navy and in 1942 was commissioned an ensign.
In 1947 he was reverted to chief petty officer, eventually rising to lieutenant before his 1956 retirement. In his later years he made many appearances at events celebrating veterans. At the time of his death, Finn was the oldest living Medal of Honor recipient and the last living recipient from the attack on Pearl Harbor.
He was the first member of the armed services to earn the Medal of Honor during World War II for heroism.
Personal life and death
His wife, Alice Finn, died in 1998. Since 1956, Finn lived in a ranch in Live Oak Springs, near Pine Valley, California.
Finn died at age 100 on the morning of 27 May 2010, at the Chula Vista Veterans Home from natural causes. He was buried besides his wife at the Campo Indian Reservation's cemetery, after a memorial service in El Cajon.
Namesake
The headquarters building for Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Force, United States Pacific Fleet at Marine Corps Base Hawaii Kaneohe was named in Finn's honor, and in 2009 a boat used to bring visitors to the USS Arizona Memorial was also named after him. In that same year, part of Historic U.S. Route 80, was named "John Finn Route". Three buildings in the former Naval Training Center San Diego were named the John and Alice Finn Office Plaza. On 15 February 2012, the U.S. Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced that an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer would be named USS John Finn (DDG-113) in his honor.
Awards and decorations
Finn received the following awards and decorations:
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| Medal of Honor | Purple Heart | Navy Unit Commendation |
| Good Conduct Medal with two w/ 2 service stars | Yangtze Service Medal | American Defense Service Medal |
| American Campaign Medal | Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal w/ 5 battle stars | World War II Victory Medal |
Images for kids
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Alice Finn (left) admires the Medal of Honor her husband John W. Finn (right) received for his defense of Naval Air Station Kaneohe Bay during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941.
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Hearse carrying the remains of Finn.
See also
In Spanish: John William Finn para niños
