US Navy LT John Finn: The First Medal of Honor Recipient of WWII

Medal of Honor 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, Lt. (then A.C.O.M.) 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 U.S. Naval Service.

Please view our other videos to learn about our Medal of Honor heroes.

Photos Courtesy Wikimedia Commons

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[stevenholquin]

This Man Lived To
Be 100 Years Old
Thank You for Your Service
We Solute You For Your
Valor Courage and
Honor

[thomascorrea]

True Badass. Thank you Sir for your service

[buckystarfinger]

Everything about this guy is cool. Chief John Fin. 21 wounds and still going.

[FredSmith-st]

Thank you for your service and sacrifice!

[-.Steven]

Interesting fact! And incredible Heroism! Thanks for posting!

[marksasahara]

Hero of a nation. One of many that would follow. Remember them all by their names and their actions.

[keithnorrod]

The Greatest Generation !!
May God Bless and Keep Him Always 🙏

[ouiroc]

This guy didn't even know how to die after 21 hits he has a special spot in heaven and our hearts we stand on the shoulders of giants

[bogritz]

I have his autographed picture. True hero.

[larrydemaar]

I met John in 2010 at a Medal of Honor convention in Chicago at Soldier Field and got his autograph. He was partnered with Walter Ehlers. A real hero and inspiration.

[-Hands]

"Thank You" for my FREEDOM and Rest in Peace...

[michaelburger]

A salute to you sir thank you for your actions siemper fi RIP among your comrades thank you again

[waynefreeman]

When I was a kid in El Cajon, Southern California, John Finn would honor us by
being Grand Marshall of our
Spring Mother Goose Parade.
We'll always remember him.
A real example of an
American hero. TX

[PatrioticEagle]

Rest in Peace, Lt. John W. Finn. You are a True American Hero. The only thing is, we couldn't have Thanked You enough for all of the Courage, Faith, Strength & Sacrifices you've shown in all you did for our Beautiful Country so we can have our FREEDOM. After all, our FREEDOM IS NOT FREE. It's all Thanks to those that laid down their lives while serving our Country so we can have our FREEDOM. That goes to show just how much they love our Beautiful Country & wants to protect her for us all. That's why we STAND for our National Anthem & Flag!! All Gave Some, Some Gave All!!🇺🇸🦅🎖️❤️

[nyca]

RIP
Greatest generation
Thank you sir for your heroic service and for saving the world 🇺🇲

[alonzowinston]

Great story, God bless him for his service, and leadership!

[joshuagarner]

Remain eternal through your loved ones and legacy. And thank you for your service ❤

[donalddowning]

The Patron Saint of Naval Aviation Ordnancemen.

As they would say,

IYAOYAS

[paulwitmer-ty]

Love the 50 caliber
Especially with ap rounds

[bonnieadams]

A superhero. Not caring for his self, but for others. To bad our president was not like that.