We still have among us this living legend, John William Finn. John is the oldest living Medal of Honor recipient and is also the only living Pearl-Harbor-Day Medal of Honor recipient. He was 97 years of age on July 24, 2006.
When the Japanese attacked our military installations on the island of Oahu on December 7, 1941, John was an Aviation Chief Ordnanceman stationed with a patrol squadron at NAS Kaneohe Bay. His citation for the Medal of Honor states that during the first Japanese attack on Kaneohe, he promptly secured and manned a .50-caliber machine gun mounted on an instruction stand in a completely exposed area of the parking ramp. The area was under heavy enemy machinegun strafing fire. Although painfully wounded many times, he continued to man the gun and return the enemy's fire vigorously and with telling effect during the enemy strafing and bombing attacks, with complete disregard for his own personal safety. Only by specific orders did he leave his post to seek medical attention.
After first-aid, although obviously suffering much pain and moving with great difficulty, he actively supervised the rearming of returning planes. John's Medal of Honor citation begins, "For extraordinary heroism, distinguished service, and devotion above and beyond the call of duty," and it concludes, "His extraordinary heroism and conduct in this action were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U. S. Naval Service."
Later in World War II, John was V-3 Division Officer aboard USS Hancock (CV-19), an Essex-class aircraft carrier. John's V-3 Division shipmates from World War II have been mainstays of the USS Hancock Association. Forty of them are still with us. Three of his V-3 Division shipmates have served the Hancock Association in the office of President: Charlie Boyst, Dave Reineman, and Joe Bizet.
John has had buildings and facilities at naval installations named after him. He has appeared as guest of honor at innumerable festivities, ceremonies, and parades. He goes to the Pearl Harbor ceremonies every fifth year in December, and for the opening of the movie Pearl Harbor, he was an honored guest of the studio. We are fortunate that John has been able to make all of our Association reunions. We try to take good care of him. He is also the darling of the Association of Aviation Ordnancemen. The San Diego unit visits him. They clean a section of Interstate 8 near John, and go to John's place for cookouts and to look out for him.
At the dedication of the World War II Memorial in Washington, D. C., in 2004, John was seated on the platform with former Presidents Carter and Bush.
John was an honored guest at presidential inauguration festivities in Washington in January 2005.
John is an American patriot with strong feelings about what is right and wrong with the country. He is also the very nicest sort of gentleman, friendly to everyone, willing to talk to seamen or admirals. His memory is fantastic. It is an honor for the Hancock Association to count him as a member.
(By Tom Wimberly, Hancock Association President 2002-2004)
