Dreamer
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It is because of men like Lt. John William Finn that Monday is a holiday. We should all take a moment on Monday to remember the brave deeds and dedicated service of all those who serve in our Armed Forces.
John William Finn, who was the oldest recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor, died at age 100 on the morning of May 27, 2010, at the Chula Vista Veterans Home. He was the last surviving MoH recipient from the attack on Pearl Harbor, and the first serviceman to receive that honor from that attack.
His particular act of heroism is extraordinary, even among MoH recipients. He was hit 21 times with bullets and schrapnel while manning a 50cal gun that he had removed from an aircraft and mounted on a training stand to fire on the attacking Japanese planes. Here is his MoH citation:
It is because of men like Lt. John William Finn that Monday is a holiday. We should all take a moment on Monday to remember the brave deeds and dedicated service of all those who serve in our Armed Forces.
John William Finn, who was the oldest recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor, died at age 100 on the morning of May 27, 2010, at the Chula Vista Veterans Home. He was the last surviving MoH recipient from the attack on Pearl Harbor, and the first serviceman to receive that honor from that attack.
His particular act of heroism is extraordinary, even among MoH recipients. He was hit 21 times with bullets and schrapnel while manning a 50cal gun that he had removed from an aircraft and mounted on a training stand to fire on the attacking Japanese planes. Here is his MoH 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.[8][/sup]
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