Retired Navy Lt. John Finn, the oldest Medal of Honor recipient from World War II, has died at his Southern California home. He was 100.
Navy Lt. Aaron Kakiel says Finn died early Thursday on his ranch near Live Oak Springs, where he lived for more than 50 years.
Finn earned the nation’s highest military valor award for his heroism during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. He received the Medal of Honor on Sept. 15, 1942, from then-President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Born July 23, 1909, in Los Angeles, Finn was the oldest of the 97 Medal of Honor recipients still living.
During the Dec. 7, 1941, attack, Finn manned a machine gun and began firing from an exposed location on Japanese aircraft, suffering serious wounds in the process.
Here’s the citation:
Medal of Honor
See more recipients of this award
Awarded for actions during the World War II
For The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Lieutenant John William Finn, United States Navy, 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, 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 U.S. Naval Service.
Action Date: 7-Dec-41
Service: Navy
Rank: Lieutenant
Company: Patrol Squadron 14 (VP-14)
Division: Naval Air Station, Kaneohe Bay
Remember Pearl Harbor — Keep America Alert!
(Now deceased) America’s oldest living Medal of Honor recipient, living his 101st year is former enlisted Chief Petty Officer, Aviation Chief Ordnanceman (ACOM), later wartime commissioned Lieutenant John W. Finn, U. S. Navy (Ret.). He is also the last surviving Medal of Honor, “The Day of Infamy”, Japanese Attack on the Hawaiian Islands, Naval Air Station, Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, Territory of Hawaii, 7 December 1941.
Visit my photo album tribute:
http://news.webshots.com/album/141695570BONFYl
San Diego, California
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By: TetVet68 on June 15, 2010
at 12:05 am
Thanks for sharing your pictures, Tetvet68. What an amazing life Finn had.
And thanks for visiting. Drop by again.
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By: worddreams on June 15, 2010
at 2:47 am
[…] John Finn, Oldest Medal οf Honor Winner, Dies « USNA οr Bust!Fοr Thе President οf thе United States οf America, іn thе name οf Congress, takes pleasure іn presenting thе Medal οf Honor tο Lieutenant John William Finn, United States Navy, fοr extraordinary heroism distinguished service, …Read more […]
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By: John Finn Results | Tech News on June 15, 2010
at 8:07 am
Reblogged this on pacificparatrooper and commented:
ANOTHER STORY WE CERTAINLY WOULD NOT WANT TO FORGET!!
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By: gpcox on August 23, 2014
at 9:33 am
Outstanding!
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By: feralc4t on August 23, 2014
at 9:36 am
Reblogged this on Lest We Forget and commented:
About a hero during the Pearl Harbor attack
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By: Pierre Lagacé on August 23, 2014
at 9:47 am
Reblogged this on A Conservative Christian Man.
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By: Paul H. Lemmen on August 23, 2014
at 11:51 am
(salutes) RIP good sir
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By: maggie0019 on August 23, 2014
at 2:34 pm
Amen.
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By: Jacqui Murray on August 23, 2014
at 3:27 pm
A great award to a very brave heroic man.
His citation is a fantastic commendation to this mans deeds.
Regards
Ian
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By: aussieian2011 on August 30, 2014
at 10:59 am
What a life. It is amazing how one event–one decision–can shape an entire life. Thanks for dropping in, Ian.
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By: Jacqui Murray on August 30, 2014
at 3:46 pm