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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

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  • World War II 1939-1945
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Medal of Honor Citation: Chief Aviation Ordnanceman John William Finn, USN

Finn, John William, Chief Aviation Ordnanceman, USN. Born 23 July 1909, Los Angeles, CA. Accredited to California.

 

Citation: "For extraordinary heroism, distingushed service, and devotion above and beyond the call of duty. During the first attack by Japanese airplanes on the Naval Air Station, Kaneohe Bay, T.H. on 7 December 1941, he promptly secured and manned a .50-caliber machine gun mounted on an instruction stand in a completely exposed area 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 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 are considered to be in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service." 

 

 

Published: Fri Mar 16 13:44:14 EDT 2018