Lt. John Finn, USN (Ret.)

[mnealtx 0]

Rest in peace, Sir.

Link

Quote

Retired Navy officer John Finn, who received the Medal of Honor for his bravery during the Japanese attack on military installations in Hawaii that plunged the United States into World War II, died Thursday at the Veterans Home of California in Chula Vista.

At 100, Finn was the oldest surviving recipient of the nation's highest medal for valor and the only recipient still alive among those who received the medal for actions during the attack of Dec. 7, 1941.

As his health declined, Finn had moved recently to the veterans facility from his longtime home in Live Oak Springs in rural eastern San Diego County.

Although he was a guest of honor at numerous gatherings of veterans and Medal of Honor recipients — including at the White House, where he was greeted by President Obama — Finn routinely declined to accept the accolade of hero.

"I can't believe this," Finn told the more than 500 people who gathered last year at a local diner to celebrate his birthday. "All I ever was was an old swab jockey.... What I did I was being paid for."

Mike
I love you, Shannon and Jim.
POPS 9708 , SCR 14706

[RonD1120 62]

Amen.

Look for the shiny things of God revealed by the Holy Spirit. They only last for an instant but it is a Holy Instant. Let your soul absorb them.

[futuredivot 0]

One of the reasons that is considered our greatest generation.

You are only as strong as the prey you devour

[JohnRich 4]

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."

[shropshire 0]

Quote

One of the reasons that is considered our greatest generation.

I hear that often but personally think that each generation has it's share of Great folks and this one is no exception. There are a lot of people who will step up to the plate when the need arises.

BUT it behoves us to celebrate these great folks, irrespective of their generation.

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[turtlespeed 226]

Quote

Quote

One of the reasons that is considered our greatest generation.

I hear that often but personally think that each generation has it's share of Great folks and this one is no exception. There are a lot of people who will step up to the plate when the need arises.

BUT it behoves us to celebrate these great folks, irrespective of their generation.

There were just a lot more manly men back then.

I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama
BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun