Oldest Medal of Honor recipient from WWII dies

[melm00se]

Source: The Buffalo News

By JULIE WATSON
Associated Press Writer

Retired Navy Lt. John Finn, the oldest Medal of Honor recipient from World War II, died Thursday at his southern California ranch. He was 100.

Finn was the first man to receive the nation's highest military award for heroism during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. He was the oldest of 97 Medal of Honor recipients still living.


Read more: http://www.buffalonews.com/2010/05/27/1063692/oldest-medal-of-honor-recipient.html

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From his 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, Kanoehe 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 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 United States Naval Service.

they don't make 'em like that anymore

[Sherman A1]

1. Brave Man...

:patriot:

[melm00se]

2. and something to reflect upon

this Memorial Day weekend.

[krispos42]

3. Wow.

:patriot:

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

4. As a curiosity, there SHOULD be some WW2 vets around until 2035, at least. -nt

[tinymontgomery]

5. I don't know

I think there are people out there like that but we don't hear about it plus their only giving out the MOH posthumously.

[MissDeeds]

6. Wow

Rest in peace, Lt. Finn. You did your country proud. I hope and pray we can return the favor.

:patriot:

K&R

[OllieLotte]

7. The word hero is so overused....certainly not in this case.

Guys like Lt. John Finn define the word. God speed.

[IndianaGreen]

8. A true hero!

Vaya con Dios!

[Soylent Brice]

9. K&R

[Omaha Steve]

10. TAPS

K&R!

[rockymountaindem]

11. I read about him in a book I had when I was a kid

I am surprised he lived so long. Rest in peace, Mr. Finn.

[proteus_lives]

12. RIP and Godspeed Lt. Finn.

You've earned it.

:patriot:

[senseandsensibility]

13. RIP and thank you for your service

:patriot:

[Robb]

14. Godspeed Lt.

:patriot:

[neverforget]

15. Rest in Peace Lt. Finn

:patriot:

[Starbucks Anarchist]

16. RIP, Lieutenant Finn.

:patriot:

[alp227]

17. Here's Pres. Obama with Finn in 2009:

Original article

http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/barack-obama-at-anc-medal-of-honor-day.htm

[Javaman]

18. Damn, that was one tough SOB.

I recall a story about another guy this Mr. Finn reminds me of.

He was a Navigator on a B-17. It was hit with and going down over Romania. His son asked him, "dad, what was happening? what was everyone doing?"

The dad replied, "they were running around panicking".

The son then asked, "what were you doing?"

The dad replied, "Keeping my wits about me".

There guys like Mr. Finn that while the whole world is exploding around them, stay completely focused and on mission.

Once upon a time, they were called, "a man's man". To me, these types are just remarkable human beings.

Thank you for your service Mr. Finn, you are one remarkable human being.

[Crowman1979]

19. IYAOYAS!

Damn! I missed several chances to meet him. He always showed up at the ordnance bashes.

[melm00se]

20. I have done a bit more digging

and according to one report Lt. Finn was hit no less than 21 times by bullets and/or shrapnel, went to the sick bay as ordered, looked around and saw many men worse off than he was and he went back to his duty station and worked through the night with arm, leg and head wounds.

this is/was/will be one tough son of a bitch and yet this one quote appears to sum him (and so many others) up:

“I know this sounds corny, but on December 7, I was just doing my duty and what I had been trained and paid to do since I was 17 years old,”