John William Finn facts for kids

Quick facts for kids John William Finn
John William Finn wearing his Medal of Honor
Born	(1909-07-23)23 July 1909 Los Angeles, California
Died	27 May 2010(2010-05-27) (aged 100) Chula Vista, California
Place of burial	Saint Carmel Cemetery, Campo Indian Reservation (32°39′03″N 116°21′54″W / 32.650866°N 116.365063°W / 32.650866; -116.365063)
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Navy
Years of service	1926–1956
Rank	Lieutenant
Battles/wars	World War II  • Attack on Pearl Harbor
Awards	Medal of Honor Purple Heart

John William Finn (born 23 July 1909 – died 27 May 2010) was a brave American sailor in the United States Navy. He was a chief petty officer. He earned the Medal of Honor, which is the highest award for bravery in the U.S. military. He received it for his heroic actions during the attack on Pearl Harbor in World War II. John Finn was the oldest person alive to have received the Medal of Honor, and the last one from the Pearl Harbor attack.

Early Life

John Finn was born on July 23, 1909, in Compton, California. He left school after the seventh grade. Later, he trained in aviation at Naval Station Great Lakes. In 1939, he married his wife, Alice Finn.

Heroism at Pearl Harbor

USS John Finn DDG-113 Crest. This ship is named in honor of Lt. John William Finn.

John Finn was a chief aviation ordnanceman. This means he was in charge of weapons on planes. He was stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay. During the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, he showed amazing courage.

He bravely manned a machine gun in an open area. He kept firing at enemy planes even though he was wounded many times. His actions helped defend the base during the attack. He was the first person in the armed services to earn the Medal of Honor during World War II for his bravery.

After the Attack

After the attack, John Finn continued to serve in the Navy. In 1942, he became an ensign, which is a junior officer rank.

In 1947, he went back to being a chief petty officer. He later rose through the ranks again to become a lieutenant. He retired from the Navy in 1956.

In his later years, John Finn often attended events to celebrate veterans. When he passed away, he was the oldest living person to have received the Medal of Honor. He was also the last living person who received the award for actions during the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Personal Life and Passing

John Finn's wife, Alice Finn, passed away in 1998. Since 1956, John Finn lived on a ranch in Live Oak Springs, near Pine Valley, California.

He died at 100 years old on May 27, 2010. He passed away peacefully at a Veterans Home in Chula Vista, California. He was buried next to his wife at the Campo Indian Reservation's cemetery. A memorial service was held for him in El Cajon, California.

Honoring John Finn

U.S. Navy ferry boat John W. Finn

Many things have been named in honor of John Finn:

• The main building for the Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Force, United States Pacific Fleet at Marine Corps Base Hawaii Kaneohe is named after him.
• In 2009, a boat that takes visitors to the USS Arizona Memorial was named the John W. Finn.
• Also in 2009, a part of Historic U.S. Route 80 was named "John Finn Route".
• Three buildings at the former Naval Training Center San Diego were named the John and Alice Finn Office Plaza.
• On February 15, 2012, the U.S. Secretary of the Navy announced that a new Arleigh Burke-class destroyer ship would be named USS John Finn (DDG-113) to honor him.

Awards and Decorations

John Finn received many important awards and decorations for his service:

Images for kids

• 

  Alice Finn (left) admires the Medal of Honor her husband John W. Finn (right) received for his defense of Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

• 

  Hearse carrying the remains of Finn.

See also

In Spanish: John William Finn para niños