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
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.
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"
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