John W Finn
| Era | WWII |
|---|---|
| Branch | U.S. Navy |
| Rank | Chief Petty Officer |
| Military Decorations | Medal of Honor Purple Heart |
| Wall | C |
| Wall Side | 4 |
| Row | 3 |
| Plaque Number | 3 |
Aviation Chief Ordnanceman
NAS Kaneohe Bay, Territory of Hawaii
VP-14 December 7, 1941
USS Lexington CV-2 USS Cincinnati CL-6
USS Houston CA-30 USS Jason
USS Saratoga CV-3
USS Hancock CV-19
Medal of Honor
Purple Heart
Good Conduct with 3 Stars
American Defense 1 Star
Asia Pacific Theater 3 Stars
"The best Chief Petty Officer I ever served with.
- A Shipmate
December 7, 1941, at Naval Air Station, Kaneohe, Hawaii, Chief Finn took a .50-caliber machine gun, mounted it on a temporary stand, where he was completely exposed, and was wounded many times while he effectively returned enemy fire throughout the 2-hour enemy strafing and bombing attacks by the Japanese. In serious pain after first aid treatment he returned to the squadron to supervise rearming of returning planes. John died at age 100 as a near life-long resident near Pine Valley, CA. He, his wife and son fostered five children of the Campo Band of Diegueño Indians.
Plaque Wall Map
