Navy Patrol Bombing Squadrons 102/14 Association




Patrol Squadron 14
Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient
JOHN WILLIAM FINN




U.S.Navy Medal of Honor
U.S. Navy Congressional Medal of Honor



For his heroic action while serving with Patrol Squadron 14 at NAS Kaneohe Bay,
Lieutenant JOHN WILLIAM FINN was awarded the
Congressional Medal of Honor

Picture
USS Enterprise
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The Award Ceremony took place on the Aircraft Carrier USS Enterprise at Pearl Harbor, 
T.H. Fleet Admiral, Chester W. Nimitz personally presented the medal to Lieutenant Finn.

Scanning Photo for Input
1941

1995

Lieutenant John William Finn

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, 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 may 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 United States Naval Service"